Magnetic graphene-like nanoparticles or graphitic nano- or microparticles and method of production and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

A magnetic graphene-like nanoparticle or graphitic nano- or microparticle exhibits a high relaxivity, and is useful as a MRI contrast agent. A composition for use with MRI imaging, comprising a sufficient amount of the magnetic graphene-like nanoparticles or graphitic nano- or microparticles and one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients. Methods of using the magnetic graphene-like nanoparticles or graphitic nano- or microparticles as MRI contrast agents. Methods of producing the magnetic graphene-like nanoparticle or graphitic nano- or microparticle.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/483,309, filed May 6, 2011, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to magnetic graphene-like nanoparticles orgraphitic nano- or microparticles and method of production thereof. Thepresent invention also relates to methods of using the magneticgraphene-like nanoparticles or graphitic nano- or microparticles as MRIcontrast agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

MRI is primarily used to non-invasively render anatomical details forimproved diagnosis of many pathologies and diseases (Sitharaman, B. &Wilson, L. J. Gadofullerenes and Gadonanotubes: A new paradigm forhigh-performance magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent probesJournal of Biomedical Nanotechnology 3, 342-352 (2007); Pan, D. et al.Revisiting an old friend: manganese-based MRI contrast agents. WIREsNanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology 3, 162-173 (2010)). The developmentof MRI has led concurrently to increased use of chemicalcontrast-enhancement products called contrast agents (CAs) which improvedetection of pathologic lesions by increasing sensitivity and diagnosticconfidence.

The two main types are T₁ and T₂ MRI CAs, and affect (decrease) thelongitudinal T₁ and transverse T₂ relaxation times of water protons,respectively. The quantitative measure of their effectiveness toaccelerate the relaxation process of the water protons is known asrelaxivity; the change in relaxation rate (inverse of relaxation time)per unit concentration of the MRI CA. The widely-used clinical T₁ MRICAs are mainly synthesized as metal-ion chelate complexes, where themetal ion is the lanthanoid element gadolinium (Gd³⁺), or theinner-transitional element manganese (Mn²⁺). A large body ofexperimental and theoretical research done in the last three decades nowoffers good understanding of the relaxation mechanism, and underlyingstructural, chemical and molecular dynamic properties that influence therelaxivity of these paramagnetic-ion chelate complexes (Aime et al.,1998, Chemical Society Reviews 27: 19-29; Caravan et al., 1999, Chem Rev99: 2293-2352; and Lauffer, 1987, Chem Rev 87: 901-927). Theory suggeststhat the relaxivity of these MRI contrast agents is sub-optimal, andpredicts the possibility of developing new contrast agents up to atleast fifty to hundred times greater relaxivity (Merbach et al., 2001,The Chemistry of Contrast Agents in Medical Magnetic Resonance Imaging:John Wiley & Sons. 471; and Datta et al., 2009, Accounts Chem Res 42:938-947).

Most clinical MRI CAs are paramagnetic T₁-weighted CAs, which enhance MRsignals to produce bright positive contrast such as gadolinium-(Gd³⁺)ion-based T₁ CAs. The recent discovery of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis(NSF) in some patients with severe renal disease or following livertransplant has generated concern leading to Food and Drug Administration(FDA) restrictions on clinical use of Gd³⁺-ion based ECF MRI CA(Girdhar, G. & Bluestein, D. Biological Effects of Dynamic Shear Stressin Cardiovascular Pathologies and Devices. Expert Rev. Medical Devices5, 167-181 (2008)).

Recently, the element manganese has received attention as a possiblealternative to gadolinium. Manganese was reported early on as an exampleof paramagnetic contrast material for MRI. Unlike the lanthanides, it isa natural cellular constituent resembling Ca²⁺ and often functions as aregulatory cofactor for enzymes and receptors. Normal daily dietaryrequirement for manganese is 3-8 μmol while normal serum levels are0.001 μmol/l. Manganese toxicity has only been reported followinglong-term exposure or at high concentrations resulting in neurologicalsymptoms (Pan, D. et al. Revisiting an old friend: manganese-based MRIcontrast agents. WIREs Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology 3, 162-173(2010)).

Over the past 10 years, carbon nanostructures such as gadofullerenes(represented as Gd@C₆₀ Gd@C₈₀ and Gd@C₈₂) and gadonanotubes (representedas Gd @US-tubes, where US-tubes=ultra-short SWNTs) that encapsulate Gd³⁺metal ion have been proposed as T₁ CAs for MRI (Sitharaman, B. & Wilson,L. J. Gadofullerenes and Gadonanotubes: A new paradigm forhigh-performance magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent probesJournal of Biomedical Nanotechnology 3, 342-352 (2007)). The synthesisstrategies in the development of these complexes have focused oncovalently or non-covalently functionalizing multiple Gd³⁺-chelatecomplexes onto the external carbon sheet of carbon nanostructures suchas carbon nanotubes and nanodiamonds (Richard et al., 2008, Nano Letters8: 232-236; and Manus et al., 2009, Nano Letters 10: 484-489), orencapsulation of Gd³⁺-ions within the carbon sheet of carbonnanostructures such as fullerene (a.k.a. gadofullerenes) (Toth et al.,2005, J Am Chem Soc 127: 799-805; Kato et al., 2003, J Am Chem Soc 125:4391-4397; and Fatouros et al., 2006, Radiology 240: 756-764), andsingle-walled carbon nanotubes (a.k.a. gadonanotubes) (Sitharaman etal., 2005, Chem Commun: 3915-3917; and Ananta et al., 2010, Naturenanotechnology 5: 815-821). These Gd³⁺-ion carbon nanostructures showbetween two-fold to two-order increase in relaxivity (depending on themagnetic field) compared to Gd³⁺-chelate complexes with thegadonanotubes showing the highest relaxivities at low to high (0.01-3 T)magnetic fields. However, the potential and efficacy of Mn²⁺-ion carbonnanostructure complexes as MRI CAs still has not been investigated.

The variable-magnetic field (0.01-3 T) relaxivity or nuclear magneticresonance dispersion (NMRD) profiles of the gadonanotubes arecharacteristically different than those obtained for any other MRI CAand their relaxation mechanisms are not well understood. A major reasonfor this lack of understanding is that unlike Gd³⁺ ion chelates, whichcan be prepared at a very high level of purity and unambiguouslycharacterized, the carbon nanostructure-Gd³⁺ ion systems are rathercomplex mainly due to their particulate nature, and intricaterelationships linking their chemical, geometric, and magneticcharacteristics to their properties as MRI contrast agents.Nevertheless, geometric confinement of the Gd³⁺ ion within nanoporousstructures maybe one reason (Ananta et al., 2010, Nature nanotechnology5: 815-821; and Bresinska I, 1994, J Phys Chem 98: 12989-12994). Whileconfinement of the Gd³⁺ ions into nanoporous structures of silicon(Ananta et al., 2010, Nature nanotechnology 5: 815-821) or zeolites(Bresinska I, 1994, J Phys Chem 98: 12989-12994) increases therelaxivity by two or four times compared to Gd³⁺ chelate compounds, onlywhen the Gd³⁺ ion are confined within single-walled carbon nanotubes(Sitharaman et al., 2005, Chem Commun: 3915-3917; and Ananta et al.,2010, Nature nanotechnology 5: 815-821) has there been an order ofmagnitude or more increase in relaxivity (irrespective of the magneticfield strength) with NMRD profiles significantly different that thosereported for other Gd³⁺ ion-based complexes. Additionally, to date,there have been no studies performed to systematically investigatewhether the high increase in relaxivity and unconventional NMRD profilesare unique to paramagnetic ions confined in single-walled carbonnanotubes, which are seamless cylinders formed from a graphene sheet, orin general observed for paramagnetic ions confined in other graphene orgraphitic structures.

Graphene, a two-dimensional (2-D) nanostructure of carbon, has attracteda great deal of attention showing potential for various material andbiomedical science applications (Novoselov, K. S. et al. Electric fieldeffect in atomically thin carbon films. Science 306, 666 (2004)).Theoretical studies predict a variety of magnetic phenomena in graphene(Makarova, 2004, Semiconductors 38: 615-638), and to date, few of theseeffects have been explored experimentally (Wang, et al., 2008, NanoLetters 9: 220-224). Recently, simple potassium permanganate(KMnO₄)-based oxidative chemical procedures have been used in the largescale production of graphite oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, and graphenenanoribbons using starting materials such as graphite and MWCNTs(Stankovich, et al., 2007, Carbon 45: 1558-1565; and Kosynkin, et al.,2009, Nature 458: 872-876). In this work, experimental studies wereperformed to characterize the physico-chemical properties of graphiteoxide, graphene nanoplatelets, and graphene nanoribbons synthesizedusing modified protocols of these techniques. We demonstrate that traceamounts of Mn²⁺ ions get confined (intercalated) within the graphenesheets during the synthesis process, and that this confinement ingeneral substantially increases the relaxivity (up to 2 order) comparedto paramagnetic chelate compounds, and these materials show diversestructural, chemical and magnetic properties with NMRD profilesdifferent than those of the paramagnetic chelates.

Recent reports have shown that affordable large scale production ofgraphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) ispossible by using chemical techniques (Stankovich, S. et al. Stableaqueous dispersions of graphitic nanoplatelets via the reduction ofexfoliated graphite oxide in the presence of poly (sodium4-styrenesulfonate). Journal of Materials Chemistry 16, 155-158 (2006);Stankovich, S. et al. Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets viachemical reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide. Carbon 45, 1558-1565(2007); Stankovich, S., Piner, R., Nguyen, S. & Ruoff, R. Synthesis andexfoliation of isocyanate-treated graphene oxide nanoplatelets. Carbon44, 3342-3347 (2006); Li, D., Müller, M., Gilje, S., Kaner, R. &Wallace, G. Processable aqueous dispersions of graphene nanosheets.Nature nanotechnology 3, 101-105 (2008); Kosynkin, D. et al.Longitudinal unzipping of carbon nanotubes to form graphene nanoribbons.Nature 458, 872-876 (2009); Higginbotham, A., Kosynkin, D., Sinitskii,A., Sun, Z. & Tour, J. Lower-Defect Graphene Oxide Nanoribbons fromMultiwalled Carbon Nanotubes. ACS nano 4, 2059-2069 (2010); Geng, Y.,Wang, S. & Kim, J. Preparation of graphite nanoplatelets and graphenesheets. Journal of colloid and interface science 336, 592-598 (2009)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a magnetic composition comprising one ormore magnetic metals and a graphene-like nanostructure or graphiticnano- or microstructure.

Preferably, the magnetic composition of the invention exhibits arelaxivity r1 of at least about 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100 or 500mM⁻¹s⁻¹.

Preferably, the magnetic composition of the invention exhibits arelaxivity r2 of at least about 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 500, or 1000mM⁻¹s⁻¹.

The graphene-like nanostructure can be a carbon nanoplatelet or a carbonnanoribbon. The carbon nanoplatelet or carbon nanoribbon can beoxidized. Preferably, the graphene-like nanostructure, e.g., the carbonnanoplatelet or the carbon nanoribbon, has a thickness of about 20 nm orless, 15 nm or less, 10 nm or less, 5 nm or less, 3 nm or less, at least2 atomic carbon sheets, at least 5 atomic carbon sheets, or at least 10atomic carbon sheets.

Preferably, the graphitic nanostructure or microstructure has athickness of 5 μm or less, 4 μm or less, 3 μm or less, 2 μm or less, 1μm or less, 500 nm or less, 250 nm or less of 100 nm or less.

Preferably, the carbon nanoplatelet having an average diameter in therange of 5 to 100 nm, 10 to 75 nm, 20 to 50 nm, or 30 to 40 nm.Preferably, the carbon nanoribbon having an average width in the rangeof 1 to 250 nm, 10 to 200 nm, 50 to 150 nm, or 70 to 100 nm.

The graphene-like nanostructure or graphitic nano- or microstructure canfurther comprise a water solubilizing moiety attached to thegraphene-like nanostructure or microstructure, e.g., covalently attachedto the graphene-like nanostructure or graphitic nano- or microstructure.

In one embodiment, the magnetic metal is a room temperature paramagneticmetallic element, including but not limited to inner-transition metalMn. In another embodiment, the magnetic metal is a room temperatureferromagnetic metallic element including but not limited toinner-transition metals Fe, Co, and Ni. In still another embodiment, themagnetic metal is a rare earth metal, including but not limited tolanthanoids Gd, Eu, Pr, Nd, and Sm. Preferred magnetic metals that canbe used in the present invention include Mn, Gd, and Fe.

The magnetic composition can comprise more than one magnetic metal. Inone embodiment, the magnetic composition comprises two differentmagnetic metals.

The magnetic metal can be present in the magnetic composition as an ion.The magnetic metal can also be present in the magnetic composition inthe form of a metal compound, including but not limited to a metal oxideand a metal salt. The magnetic metal or compound thereof can beintercalated in the graphene-like nanostructure or graphitic nano- ormicrostructure.

The magnetic composition of the present invention can comprise themagnetic metal in an amount in the range of 1 ppb (mass parts perbillion) to 10⁷ ppm (mass parts per million), 10² ppb to 10⁶ ppm, 1 ppmto 10⁵ ppm, 10 to 10⁴ ppm, or 10² to 10³ ppm.

The present invention also provides a method of performing magneticresonance imaging of a subject, comprising administering to the subjecta sufficient amount of the magnetic composition of the invention; andimaging the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging device. Thesubject can be any animal, including but not limited to a mammal, e.g.,a human.

The present invention also provides a composition for MRI imaging,comprising a sufficient amount of the magnetic composition, and one ormore physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients.

The present invention also provides a method of producing a magneticcomposition comprising a magnetic metal and a graphene-like carbonnanostructure. The method comprises oxidizing graphite with a mixture ofsulfuric acid H₂SO₄, nitric acid (HNO₃), manganese chloride (MnCl₂),sodium nitrate NaNO₃, and potassium permanganate KMnO₄; and sonicating asuspension of the product obtained in the previous step. The method canfurther comprise a step of reducing the magnetic composition with areducing agent.

The present invention also provides a method of producing a magneticcomposition comprising a magnetic metal and a graphene-like carbonnanostructure. The method comprises treating a multi-walled carbonnanotube with sulfuric acid H₂SO₄, nitric acid (HNO₃), manganesechloride (MnCl₂), and potassium permanganate KMnO₄. In one embodiment,the treatment is carried out by a method comprising suspending saidmulti-walled carbon nanotube in concentrated H₂SO₄, nitric acid (HNO₃);adding manganese chloride (MnCl₂), KMnO₄; heating the mixture andsonicating a suspension of the product obtained in the previous stepIn aspecific embodiment, the mixture is heated to 55-70° C.

The magnetic composition can further be water solubilized using a methodknown in the art, e.g., (1) using a synthesis protocol similar to acycloaddition reaction used to add carboxylic acid functionalitiesacross carbon-carbon double bonds of fullerenes and metallofullerenes.(2) Covalently or non-covalently functionalizing with nature polymerssuch as dextran or synthetic amphiphilic polymers such as poly ethyleneglycol.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1( a)-1(d). TEM images at 200 kV for manganese intercalatedgraphene nanoplatelets and nanoribbons (a) Showing ˜20 nm wide fewlayered and multilayered reduced graphene nanoplatelets; (b) HRTEM imageshowing lattice structure of carbon atoms on reduced graphenenanoplatelets (c) Images revealing ˜120 nm width and ˜0.6-2 μm lengthgraphene nanoribbon structure; (d) High magnification image revealingmultiple layers of graphene nanoribbon sheets (Indicated by arrows).

FIGS. 2( a)-2(b). Raman spectrum using 530 nm laser (a) Revealing D andG bands and corresponding peaks for graphite, oxidized graphite,graphene nanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets; (b) RevealingD and G bands for MWCNTs and graphene nanoribbons.

FIGS. 3( a)-3(e). SQUID plots: Magnetization (M) v/s Field strength (H)for (a) Graphite, (b) Oxidized graphite, (c) Graphene nanoplatelets, (d)Reduced Graphene nanoplatelets at 30K, 150 and 300K between −50,000 to50,000 Oe, Inset: plot between −5000 and 5000 Oe at 300K; (e) ZFC and FCmagnetization curves for reduced graphene nanoplatelets revealing ablocking temperature of 40K.

FIGS. 4( a)-4(c). SQUID plots: Magnetization (M) v/s Field strength (H)between −50,000 Oe and 50,000 Oe (a) M vs. H at three temperatures (10,150 and 300K) for MWCNTs; (b) M vs. H plot for graphene nanoribbons at30K, 150K and 300K, Inset: M vs. H between −4000 Oe and 4000 Oe at 300Kshowing hysteresis loops; (c) ZFC and FC plot for GNR revealing highblocking temperature greater than 300K.

FIG. 5. T₁-weighted MRI phantom of GONR compared with MnCl₂ and water.

FIG. 6. Representative MR Images of a mouse before and after injectionof water-soluble GNP MRI CAs at a dosage of 0.25 mmols/kg. At these lowdoses, 100 times lower than doses used for clinical Gd-based CA such asMagnevist, excellent bright contrast enhancement is obtained throughoutthe vasculature due to the circulating nanoparticles.

FIG. 7. AFM section analysis of graphene nanoplatelets dispersed on asilicon substrate, showing a uniform thickness of ˜1.137 nm.

FIG. 8. Comparison of Raman spectra of Hausmannite (Mn₃O₄), oxidizedgraphite and reduced graphene nanoplatelets at 532 nm showing spectralpeaks at 657, 370 and 320 cm⁻¹.

FIG. 9: Plot of Magnetization (M) v/s Field strength (H) for (a)micro-graphite, (b) oxidized graphite (c) Oxidized Graphenenanoplatelets (d) Reduced Graphene nanoplatelets at 30K, 150 and 300Kbetween −50,000 to 50,000 Oe (Inset shows plot between −5000 and 5000 Oeat 300K), (e) ZFC and FC magnetization plots of reduced graphenenanoplatelets.

FIG. 10: Magnetization (M) v/s Field strength (H) between −50,000 Oe and50,000 Oe at 10, 150 and 300K for (a) MWCNTs, and (b) graphenenanoribbons (Inset shows M versus H between −4000 Oe and 4000 Oe at300K), (c) ZFC and FC plots of graphene nanoribbons.

FIG. 11: Room temperature EPR spectra of solid (a) oxidizedmicro-graphite, (b) oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, (c) reducedgraphene nanoplatelets and (d) graphene nanoribbons.

FIG. 12: Room temperature EPR spectra of aqueous solutions of (a)oxidized micro-graphite, (b) oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, (c)reduced graphene nanoplatelets and (d) graphene nanoribbons.

FIG. 13: Experimental NMRD profiles (dots), and best fits (solid lines)derived from SBM Theory for (a) Oxidized Graphite, (b) GrapheneNanoplatelets, (c) Reduced Graphene Nanoplatelets, and d) GrapheneNanoribbons.

FIG. 14: Representative SEM image of (a) oxidized micro-graphite and TEMimages of (b,c) reduced graphene nanoplatelets and (d,e) graphenenanoribbons. Arrows in (e) show the multiple layers of graphenenanoribbon sheets. (f) TEM images at 200 kV for reduced graphenenanoplatelets Shows ˜20 nm wide few layered and multilayered reducedgraphene nanoplatelets. (g) AFM Section analysis of graphenenanoplatelets dispersed on silicon substrate, showing a uniformthickness of ˜1.137 nm.

FIG. 15: Raman spectrum with the D and G bands peaks for (a) graphite,oxidized graphite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets and reduced graphenenanoplatelets, and (b) MWCNTs and graphene nanoribbons (c) Comparison ofRaman spectra between Hausmannite (Mn₃O₄), oxidized graphite and reducedgraphene nanoplatelets at 532 nm showing spectral peaks at 657, 370 and320 cm⁻¹.

FIG. 16: EELS spectrum for (a) reduced graphene nanoplatelets and (b)oxidized graphene nanoplatelets showing a oxygen peak at 530 eV.

FIG. 17: EPR spectrum of the (a) Wilmad quartz EPR tubes used for themeasurement of the solid samples, (b) quartz EPR flat tube used for theaqueous samples, (c) DPPH standard (solid) and (d) DPPH standard(aqueous).

FIG. 18: Curves obtained for floating all SBM parameters to float. A)Oxidized Graphite, B) Oxidized Graphene Nanoplatelets, C) ReducedGraphene Nanoplatelets, D) Graphene Nanoribbons.

FIG. 19: Curves obtained for fixed Q=2 with remaining SBM parametersallowed to float. A) Oxidized Graphite, B) Oxidized GrapheneNanoplatelets, C) Reduced Graphene Nanoplatelets, D) GrapheneNanoribbons.

FIG. 20: Curves obtained for fixed Q=4 with remaining SBM parametersallowed to float. A) Oxidized Graphite, B) Oxidized GrapheneNanoplatelets, C) Reduced Graphene Nanoplatelets, D) GrapheneNanoribbons.

FIG. 21. Curves obtained for fixed Q=6 with remaining SBM parametersallowed to float. A) Oxidized Graphite, B) Oxidized GrapheneNanoplatelets, C) Reduced Graphene Nanoplatelets, D) GrapheneNanoribbons.

FIG. 22: Curves obtained for fixed Q=8 with remaining SBM parametersallowed to float. A) Oxidized Graphite, B) Oxidized GrapheneNanoplatelets, C) Reduced Graphene Nanoplatelets, D) GrapheneNanoribbons.

FIG. 23: Curves obtained for fixed Q=8 and Fixed T_(m) at values shownin Table 8, with remaining SBM parameters allowed to float. A) OxidizedGraphite, B) Oxidized Graphene Nanoplatelets, C) Reduced GrapheneNanoplatelets, D) Graphene Nanoribbons. The fit for the GrapheneNanoribbons in D is surprisingly worse than expected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a magnetic composition comprising one ormore magnetic metals and a graphene-like nanostructure or graphiticnano- or microstructure. The magnetic composition can be paramagnetic ordiamagnetic. Preferably, the magnetic composition is paramagnetic. Themagnetic composition can be ferromagnetic. The magnetic composition canalso be superparamagnetic.

Preferably, the magnetic composition of the invention exhibits arelaxivity r1 of at least about 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80,100 or 500 mM⁻¹s⁻¹. In a specific embodiment, the magnetic compositionof the invention exhibits a relaxivity r1 of about 45 mM⁻¹s⁻¹. Inanother specific embodiment, the magnetic composition of the inventionexhibits a relaxivity r1 of about 73 mM⁻¹s⁻¹.

Preferably, the magnetic composition of the invention exhibits arelaxivity r2 of at least about 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 300,400, 500, or 1000 mM⁻¹s⁻¹. In a specific embodiment, the magneticcomposition of the invention exhibits a relaxivity r2 of about 15mM⁻¹s⁻¹. In another specific embodiment, the magnetic composition of theinvention exhibits a relaxivity r2 of about 251 mM⁻¹s⁻¹.

Graphene is a flat monolayer of carbon atoms tightly packed into atwo-dimensional (2D) honeycomb lattice, and is a basic building blockfor graphitic materials of all other dimensionalities, and which can bewrapped up into OD fullerenes, rolled into 1D nanotubes or stacked into3D graphite (Geim and Novoselov, 2007, “The rise of graphene”, NatureMaterials 6 (3): 183-191). As used herein, the term “graphene-likenanostructure” (or “graphene-like nanoparticle”) refers to a carbonnanostructure comprising one or more atomic carbon sheets or layers. Inthe present application, for simplicity reasons, the term “graphenenanostructure” is also used to refer to a graphene-like nanostructure.Thus, unless expressly stated, the term “graphene nanostructure” is notlimited to a nanostructure having only a single atomic carbon sheet. Thegraphene-like nanostructure can be a carbon nanoplatelet or a carbonnanoribbon. The carbon nanoplatelet or carbon nanoribbon can beoxidized.

Preferably, the graphitic nanostructure or microstructure has athickness of 5 μm or less, 4 μm or less, 3 μm or less, 2 μm or less, 1μm or less, 500 nm or less, 250 nm or less of 100 nm or less.

In one embodiment, the graphitic microstructure has a thickness in therange of 1 to 5 μm, 2 to 4 μm, or 2 to 3 μm. In another embodiment, thegraphitic microstructure has a longest length of the structure in therange of 1 to 5 μm, 2 to 4 μm, or 2 to 3 μm.

Preferably, the graphene-like nanostructure, e.g., the carbonnanoplatelet or the carbon nanoribbon, has a thickness of about 20 nm orless, 15 nm or less, 10 nm or less, 5 nm or less or 3 nm or less. Thegraphene-like nanostructure, e.g., the carbon nanoplatelet or the carbonnanoribbon, can comprise at least 1 atomic carbon sheet, at least 2atomic carbon sheets, at least 5 atomic carbon sheets, or at least 10atomic carbon sheets. In one embodiment, the graphene-likenanostructure, e.g., the carbon nanoplatelet or the carbon nanoribbon,comprises 1 to 12 atomic carbon sheets. In a specific embodiment, thegraphene-like nanostructure, e.g., the carbon nanoplatelet or the carbonnanoribbon, comprises 1 or 2 atomic carbon sheets.

Preferably, the graphene-like nanostructure is a carbon nanoplatelethaving an average diameter in the range of 5 to 100 nm, 10 to 75 nm, 20to 50 nm, or 30 to 40 nm. In a specific embodiment, the carbonnanoplatelet has an average diameter of about 20 nm. In another specificembodiment, the carbon nanoplatelet has an average diameter of about 50nm. In still another specific embodiment, the graphene-like nanoplatelethas a thickness in the range of 1 to 5 nm and a diameter of about 50 nm.

Preferably, the graphene-like nanostructure is a carbon nanoribbonhaving an average width in the range of 1 to 250 nm, 10 to 200 nm, 50 to150 nm, or 70 to 100 nm. In a specific embodiment, the carbon nanoribbonhas an average width of about 120 nm. Preferably, the carbon nanoribbonhas an average length in the range of 200 to 5000 nm, 400 to 4000 nm, or500 to 3000 nm. In a specific embodiment, the carbon nanoribbon has anaverage length in the range of 600 to 2000 nm.

The graphene-like nanostructure or graphitic nano- or microstructure canfurther comprise a water solubilizing moiety attached to thegraphene-like nanostructure or microstructure. In one embodiment, thewater solubilizing moiety is covalently attached to the graphene-likenanostructure or graphitic nano- or microstructure. In a specificembodiment, the water solubilizing moiety is selected from the groupconsisting of malonic acid and serinol malonodiamide attached to thegraphene-like nanostructure or graphitic nano- or microstructure. Thewater solubilizing moiety can be attached to the graphene-likenanostructure or graphitic nano- or microstructure using any methodknown in the art, e.g., using Bingel type reactions (Bingel, C., 1993,Cyclopropanierung von Fullerenen, Chemische Berichte 126 (8):1957). Inanother specific embodiment, the water solubilizing moiety is a naturalpolymer dextran or synthetic polymer polyethylene glycol. The watersolubilizing moiety can covalently or non-covalently attached using anymethod known in the art, e.g., using sonication for 1-3 hours atelevated temperatures (60-95° C.).

The magnetic metal in the magnetic composition of the present inventioncan be any metal that exhibits magnetism in the presence or absence ofan externally applied magnetic field. In one embodiment, the magneticmetal is a room temperature paramagnetic metallic element, including butnot limited to inner-transition metal Mn. In another embodiment, themagnetic metal is a room temperature ferromagnetic metallic elementincluding but not limited to inner-transition metal Fe, Co, and Ni. Instill another embodiment, the magnetic metal is a rare earth metal,including but not limited to lanthanoid Gd, Eu, Pr, Nd, and Sm.Preferred magnetic metals that can be used in the present inventioninclude Mn, Gd, and Fe.

The magnetic composition can comprise more than one magnetic metal. Inone embodiment, the magnetic composition comprises two differentmagnetic metals. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic compositioncomprises Mn and Fe.

The magnetic metal can be present in the magnetic composition as an ion.The magnetic metal can also be present in the magnetic composition inthe form of a metal compound, including but not limited to a metal oxideand a metal salt. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic metal ispresent in the magnetic composition in the form of a metal oxide.

In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic metal or compound thereof isintercalated in the graphene-like nanostructure or graphitic nano- ormicrostructure.

The magnetic composition of the present invention can comprise themagnetic metal in an amount in the range of 1 ppb (mass parts perbillion) to 10⁷ ppm (mass parts per million), 10² ppb to 10⁶ ppm, 10²ppb to 10² ppm, 1 ppm to 10⁵ ppm, 10 to 10⁴ ppm, or 10² to 10³ ppm.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the magnetic composition of thepresent invention comprises a graphene-like nanostructure as describedherein and Mn. In one embodiment, the Mn is present as a Mn oxide. Inanother embodiment, the Mn is present as di-valent and/or tri-valent Mn.In still another embodiment, the Mn oxide comprises hausmannite.

In one embodiment, the magnetic composition comprises a carbonnanoplatelet and Mn in an amount in the range of 10⁶ to 5.5×10⁷ ppm,e.g., about 5×10⁶ ppm.

In another embodiment, the magnetic composition comprises a carbonnanoribbon and Mn in an amount in the range of 10² to 10³ ppm, e.g.,5×10² ppm. In still another embodiment, the Mn is in an amount in therange of 0.1 to 2 ppm, 0.2 to 1.5 ppm, or 0.5 to 1 ppm.

The present invention also provides a method of performing magneticresonance imaging of a subject, comprising administering to the subjecta sufficient amount of the magnetic composition of the invention; andimaging the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging device. Thesubject can be any animal, including but not limited to a mammal. In apreferred embodiment, the subject is a human. The magnetic compositionof the invention can be used alone or in combination with another agent,including but not limited to another MRI contrast agent. The magneticcomposition can be administrated to the subject by any method known inthe art, including but not limited to intravenous, intravascularinjection and oral administration. A person skilled in the art would beable to select the appropriate administration route according to thetissue, organ or other region in the body of interest and/or thepurposes of the scan. Magnetic resonance imaging can be carried by anystandard method and device known in the art. The magnetic composition ofthe invention and/or another MRI CA can be in any suitable form ofimaging agents, including but not limited to extracellular fluid orfirst pass MRI CAs, blood pool MRI CAs, organ specific MRI CAs, andmolecular imaging MRI CAs.

The invention also provides a kit for use in MRI imaging, comprising inone or more containers a sufficient amount of one or more magneticcompositions. A sufficient amount of the magnetic composition refers tothat amount of the composition sufficient to result in enhancement ofimage contrast in a MRI image. The magnetic composition can be in anysuitable form of imaging agent, including but not limited toextracellular fluid or first pass MRI CAs, blood pool MRI CAs, organspecific MRI CAs, and molecular imaging MRI CAs.

Toxicity of the magnetic composition can be determined by standardprocedures in cell cultures and/or experimental animals, e.g., fordetermining the LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population). Theeffective dose can be estimated according to clinically acceptedstandard. The data obtained from the cell culture assays and/or animalstudies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans.The dosage of such magnetic compositions is preferably within a range ofconcentrations that are effective in enhancing MRI images with little orno toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon thedosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. A personskilled in the art would be able to select the suitable dosage of themagnetic composition based on standard protocols.

The compositions for use in accordance with the present invention may beformulated in conventional manner using one or more physiologicallyacceptable carriers or excipients depending on, e.g., the route foradministration, e.g., oral or parenteral administration.

For oral administration, the magnetic compositions may take the form of,for example, tablets or capsules prepared by conventional means withpharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents (e.g.,pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystalline cellulose orcalcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talcor silica); disintegrants (e.g., potato starch or sodium starchglycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate). Thetablets may be coated by methods well known in the art. Liquidpreparations for oral administration may take the form of, for example,solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may be presented as a dryproduct for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle beforeuse. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventional means withpharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g.,sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives or hydrogenated edible fats);emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles(e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethyl alcohol or fractionated vegetableoils); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates orsorbic acid). The preparations may also contain buffer salts, flavoring,coloring and sweetening agents as appropriate.

The compounds may be formulated for parenteral administration byinjection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulationsfor injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules orin multi-dose containers. The compositions may take such forms assuspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and maycontain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/ordispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powderform for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterilepyrogen-free water, before use.

Suitable routes of administration may, for example, include oral andparenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous,intramedullary injections, as well as intrathecal, directintraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, orintraocular injections.

Furthermore, one may administer the drug in a targeted drug deliverysystem, for example, in a liposome coated with an antibody specific foraffected cells. The liposomes will be targeted to and taken upselectively by the cells of interest.

The compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenserdevice which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing themagnetic composition. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied byinstructions for administration. Compositions comprising a magneticcomposition of the invention formulated in a compatible carrier may alsobe prepared, placed in an appropriate container, and labeled for use.

Thus, the present invention also provides the magnetic composition ofthe present invention for use in magnetic resonance imaging of thesubject.

The present invention also provides a method of producing a magneticcomposition comprising a magnetic metal and a graphene-like carbonnanostructure. The method comprises oxidizing graphite with a mixture ofsulfuric acid H₂SO₄, nitric acid (HNO₃) sodium nitrate NaNO₃, manganesechloride (MnCl₂), and potassium permanganate KMnO₄; and sonicating asuspension of the product obtained in the previous step. The method canfurther comprise a step of reducing the magnetic composition with areducing agent. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is hydrazinehydrate. In one embodiment, the graphite used in the method of theinvention is micro-graphite, e.g., having a size of about 45 μm.

The present invention also provides a method of producing a magneticcomposition comprising a magnetic metal and a graphene-like carbonnanostructure. The method comprises treating a multi-walled carbonnanotube with sulfuric acid H₂SO₄, nitric acid (HNO₃), manganesechloride (MnCl₂), and potassium permanganate KMnO₄. In one embodiment,the treatment is carried out by a method comprising suspending saidmulti-walled carbon nanotube in concentrated H₂SO₄; adding KMnO₄; andheating the mixture. In a specific embodiment, the mixture is heated to55-70° C.

The magnetic composition can be water solubilized using a method knownin the art. In one embodiment, the magnetic composition is watersolubilized using a synthesis protocol similar to a cycloadditionreaction used to add carboxylic acid functionalities acrosscarbon-carbon double bonds of fullerenes and metallofullerenes(Sithamaran, B.; Zakharian, T. Y. et al. Molecular Pharmaceutics 2008,5, 567).

EXAMPLES

The following examples are presented by way of illustration of thepresent invention, and are not intended to limit the present inventionin any way.

Example 1 Materials and Methods

Graphene Nanoplatelet (GNP) Synthesis:

Oxidized graphite was prepared from analytical grade micro-graphite (45μm, 496596-Sigma Aldrich) by modified Hummer's method (Geng, Y., Wang,S. & Kim, J. Preparation of graphite nanoplatelets and graphene sheets.Journal of colloid and interface science 336, 592-598 (2009); HummersJr, W. & Offeman, R. Preparation of graphitic oxide. Journal of theAmerican Chemical Society 80, 1339-1339 (1958)). In a typicalexfoliation procedure, dried oxidized graphite (200 mg) was suspended ina round bottom flask containing water (200 ml), along with MnCl₂ andsonicated for 1 h in an ultrasonic bath cleaner (Fischer Scientific,FS60, 230W) (Stankovich, S. et al. Synthesis of graphene-basednanosheets via chemical reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide. Carbon45, 1558-1565 (2007)). 50 ml of this uniform solution was centrifugedand pellet was dried overnight to obtain oxidized graphene nanoplatelets(GNPs). The remaining 150 ml was treated with hydrazine hydrate (1.5 ml,37.1 mmol) and heated in an oil bath at 100° C. under a water cooledcondenser for 12 h, resulting in a black precipitate. The product wasisolated and washed over a medium sintered glass filter funnel withwater (500 ml) and methanol (500 ml) and dried by continuous air flow toyield reduced graphene nanoplatelets.

Graphene Nanoribbon (GNR) Synthesis:

Graphene nanoribbons were prepared from MWCNTs (636843—Sigma Aldrich)using a modified procedure to the one previously described (Kosynkin, D.et al. Longitudinal unzipping of carbon nanotubes to form graphenenanoribbons. Nature 458, 872-876 (2009); Higginbotham, A., Kosynkin, D.,Sinitskii, A., Sun, Z. & Tour, J. Lower-Defect Graphene OxideNanoribbons from Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes. ACS nano 4, 2059-2069(2010)). MWCNTs (150 mg, 12.5 mequiv of carbon) were suspended in 30 mlof conc. H₂SO₄ for 2 h. KMnO₄(750 mg, 4.75 mmol), MnCl₂ (1-50 mg), wasadded and the mixture was allowed to stir for 1 h. The reaction was thenheated in an oil bath at 55-70° C. for an additional 1 h, untilcompletion. It was cooled to room temperature and the product was washedwith acidic water, ethanol and ether, and isolated by subsequentcentrifugation. Centrifugation results in simple, easy and quickisolation with 100% yield.

Sample Analysis:

High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) imaging analysiswas performed on the GNP and GNR samples using a JEOL JEM2010F (FEG-TEM)High Resolution Analytical Transmission Electron Microscope. Imaging wascarried out at 200 kV accelerating voltage. TEM samples were prepared bydispersing the dry powders in 1:1 ethanol:water to form a homogeneousmixture. The suspension was then deposited on to a 300 mesh Cu gridcovered with a lacey carbon film (EMS, Cat # LC305-Cu). RAMAN spectralanalysis of graphite, oxidized graphite, and all graphene samples wasperformed between 200 to 3000 cm⁻¹ using a Thermo Scientific DXR Ramanconfocal microscope at 530 nm diode laser excitation wavelength and roomtemperature.

Characterization of Magnetic Behavior:

Magnetization of graphene samples was studied using a super conductingquantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer with a sensitivity ofabout 10⁻⁸ emu. The samples were carefully weighed and loaded in gelatincapsules. Samples were analyzed between the applied magnetic field rangeof −50000 Oe to 50000 Oe between 0 and 300K. In the Field cooling andZero Field cooling mode, a coercive field of 500 Oe was applied forstudying magnetization as a function of temperature.

Characterization of Relaxivity:

For relaxivity measurements, 1 mg of all graphene nanoplatelets andgraphene nanoribbon samples were dispersed uniformly in 2 ml ofbiologically compatible 1% Pluronic F127 surfactant solution. Thesupernatants of these saturated (suspensions) solutions were then usedfor relaxometry measurements. The longitudinal and transverse relaxationtimes (T₁, T₂) were measured using iSpin-NMR system (Spincoretechnology) at a proton NMR frequency of 21.42 MHz and 0.5 T fieldstrength. T₁ and T₂ were measured using inversion recovery and CPMGmethods respectively. The inverse of the relaxation times represent therespective relaxation rates, R₁ and R₂. Relaxivity (r_(1, 2)), which isa measure of the efficacy of an MRI contrast agent is expressed as afunction of its concentration. It was calculated using the formular_(1, 2)═(R_(1, 2)−R₀)/[Mn²⁺]; R_(1, 2) and R₀ are the longitudinal ortransverse relaxation rates of the samples and 1% Pluronic F127surfactant solution respectively, and [Mn²⁺] is the concentration ofManganese in the volume of solution used for relaxation measurements.

Metal Content Analysis

To confirm the presence and to determine the concentration of manganesein our samples, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy(ICPOES) was carried out separately at two commercial analytical testinglaboratories (Columbia Analytical Services, Tucson, Ariz. and GalbraithLaboratories, Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.). The potassium [K] content wasalso estimated in all samples. For the ICP sample preparation, thesuspensions of the samples in Pluronic solutions used for relaxationtime measurements were treated with conc. HNO₃ and carefully heated toobtain a solid residue. They were then further treated with 30% H₂O₂ andheated again to eliminate carbonaceous material. In case of the solidsamples, they were directly subjected to peroxide and heat treatment toremove the carbonaceous content. The remaining residue, in each case,was dissolved in 2% HNO₃ and analyzed by ICP using a Thermo Jarrell AshICAP 61 Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer.

In Vitro Phantom MRI

In vitro T₁ and T₂ MRI phantom experiments were performed on thenanoribbon samples using a 3 T Trio Siemens MRI system and the imageswere obtained using 2D spin-echo imaging with a repetition time (TR) of500 ms and echo times (TE) of 10 ms for T₁ and TR of 8000 ms and TE of112 ms for T₂ measurements.

Results and Discussion

This Example shows that the simple chemical oxidation procedures (seemethods and materials section for synthesis details) using startingmaterials such as graphite and MWCNTs yield magnetic manganeseintercalated graphene nanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons which showpotential as MRI contrast agents.

FIGS. 1 (a, b) show representative low and high magnification TEM imagesof reduced graphene nanoplatelets, respectively, which provides theirstructural and morphological information. As seen in FIG. 1 (a), theyappear to be round in shape with an average width of ˜20 nm. Someplatelets appear darker than the others and this is due to the presenceof multi-layered graphene oxide sheets. The lighter ones, which arealmost transparent, are single or double layered graphene oxide sheets.FIG. 1 (b) reveals the atomic lattice fringe structure of the individualgraphene sheets where the lattice grid lines and hexagonal carbon atomrings are clearly visible (Lu, G., Mao, S., Park, S., Ruoff, R. & Chen,J. Facile, noncovalent decoration of graphene oxide sheets withnanocrystals. Nano Research 2, 192-200 (2009)). AFM section analysis ofthe graphene oxide nanoplatelets dispersion on a Si substrate revealed auniform thickness of ˜1.137 nm (FIG. 7). Pristine graphene sheets havean atomic layer thickness (Van der Waals) of 0.34 nm. The presence ofcovalent bonds with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups and displacement of sp³carbon atoms in the graphene oxide nanoplatelet structure is known to bethe reason for an increase in the thickness (Stankovich, S. et al.Synthesis of graphene-based nanosheets via chemical reduction ofexfoliated graphite oxide. Carbon 45, 1558-1565 (2007)).

FIG. 1 (c, d) show representative low and high magnification TEM imagesof graphene nanoribbons, respectively. As seen in FIG. 1 (c), thegraphene nanoribbons have fully unzipped layers of graphene sheets. Thehigh resolution TEM image in FIG. 1 (d) clearly shows that thenanoribbons are multilayered (arrows) due to successive unzipping of theconcentric walls of MWCNTs. The atomic structural surface quality of thegraphene oxide nanoribbons appears mostly uniform and smooth, with fewdefects. The starting material, MWCNTs, have an outer diameter of 40-70nm and length of 500-2000 nm. Since the MWCNTs are cylinders, uponunzipping, they should open up completely to have breadths in the rangeof pi times the diameter, which is 125-220 nm and a length of 500-2000nm. The analysis of the TEM images shows that the average width of thegraphene nanoribbons is ˜120 nm which is greater than the outer diameterof the outermost tubes of MWCNTs of 70 nm, thus, verifying the processof unzipping. This average value, however, is slightly lesser than therange required for fully flat ribbons, 125-220 nm and this can besubstantiated by the fact that the unzipping process does not renderfully flat ribbons, however, the ribbons still retain some curvature ofthe tubes and hence they have lesser breadths than that expected forfully flat sheets. The TEM images show an average length of ˜600-2000 nmwhich falls within the calculated range for unzipped MWCNTs.

FIG. 2( a) shows the Raman spectra of oxidized and reduced graphenenanoplatelets. Also included as controls are the Raman spectra ofgraphite and oxidized graphite. The spectrum of graphite shows aprominent sharp peak at 1581 cm⁻¹ indicating the G-band which isattributed to the doubly degenerate zone center E_(2g) mode (Tuinstra,F. & Koenig, J. Raman spectrum of graphite. The Journal of ChemicalPhysics 53, 1126 (1970)). In case of oxidized graphite, there is abroadening of the G band and a peak shift to 1595 cm⁻¹. Further, zoneboundary phonons give rise to the D band at 1345 cm⁻¹, which becomesprominent indicating increase in the disorder sp² domains and reductionof crystal size due to oxidation. Due to the process of oxidation ofgraphite, there is an increase in the ratio of intensity of the D to Gpeaks (I_(D)/I_(G)), from 0.407 for graphite to 1.2 for oxidizedgraphite (Tuinstra, F. & Koenig, J. Raman spectrum of graphite. TheJournal of Chemical Physics 53, 1126 (1970)). The spectra of oxidizedgraphene nanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets show a furtherincrease in I_(D)/I_(G) to 1.3 and 1.44, respectively. FIG. 2( a) showsthat in case of reduced graphene nanoplatelets, the peaks of D and Gbands are being shifted closer to the values of graphite (1330 cm⁻¹ and1590 cm⁻¹ respectively), which is attributed to the removal of theoxygen functionalities during reduction and restoration of order to anextent. However, the increase in I_(D)/I_(G) to 1.44 is due to thereduction of the average size of sp² domains in addition to an increasein the number of such small sized disorder domains (Kosynkin, D. et al.Longitudinal unzipping of carbon nanotubes to form graphene nanoribbons.Nature 458, 872-876 (2009)).

Additionally, the Raman spectra of oxidized graphite and reducedgraphene nanoplatelets also showed additional peaks at around 657 cm⁻¹,370 cm⁻¹ and 320 cm⁻¹ (FIG. 8). In order to identify the peaks, a Ramanspectral database search using the RRUFF™

Project collection was performed. This confirmed that the peaks observedare due to a complex oxide containing di-valent and tri-valentmanganese, known as Hausmannite, see FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the G and Dbands of the samples are seen along with additional peaks ofhausmannite, confirming that the manganese oxide is intercalated intothe carbonaceous matrix at these regions. Hausmannite (Mn₃O₄)nanocrystals are known to be synthesized by various methods involvingcalcination of oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, nitrates or sulphates ofmanganese at high temperatures in air (Southard, J. & Moore, G.High-temperature Heat Content of Mn3O4, MnSiO3 and Mn3C1. Journal of theAmerican Chemical Society 64, 1769-1770 (1942); Ursu, I. et al. Kineticevolution during the laser/thermal preparation of Mn3O4 from MnCO3.Journal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics 19, L825 (1986)).While most of these methods involve oxidation of the Mn (II) compound,reduction of KMnO₄ is also known to bring about Mn₃O₄ formation (Weixin,Z., Cheng, W., Xiaoming, Z., Yi, X. & Yitai, Q. Low temperaturesynthesis of nanocrystalline Mn₃O₄ by a solvothermal method. Solid StateIonics 117, 331-335 (1999); Zhang, W. et al. Controlled synthesis ofMn3O4 nanocrystallites and MnOOH nanorods by a solvothermal method.Journal of Crystal Growth 263, 394-399 (2004)). In this case, althoughthe exact mechanism is still unclear, it is suggested the presence ofstrong oxidizing agents such as nitric acid (HNO₃) to have brought aboutreduction of KMnO₄. While performing the analysis, it was observed thatnot all spectra for oxidized graphite and graphene nanoplatelets showedthe hausmannite peaks. The presence of hausmannite peaks was sensitiveto the orientation of the sample and sample spot size, confirming thatthese peaks were seen only at regions of manganese oxide intercalation.

FIG. 2 (b) shows the Raman spectrum of graphene nanoribbons and MWCNTs.Similar to spectra for nanoplatelets (in FIG. 2 (a)), the spectrum fornanoribbons confirms a broad G band with a shifted peak at 1600 cm⁻¹ aswell as a prominent D band at 1310 cm⁻¹. In comparison to the Ramanspectrum of MWCNTs, an increase in I_(D)/I_(G) value from 0.045 to 1.57was seen. This is in consensus with earlier reports on the Raman spectraof nanoribbons derived from chemical oxidation of MWCNTs, whereI_(D)/I_(G) greater than 1 was observed for nanoribbons (Kosynkin, D. etal. Longitudinal unzipping of carbon nanotubes to form graphenenanoribbons. Nature 458, 872-876 (2009)). The shifted G band is due tothe oxidative unzipping of MWCNTs, similar to the shift seen due tooxidation of graphite in FIG. 2 (a). The high intensity and broad D bandis due to the effect of reduction of the average size of sp² domains inaddition to an increase in the number of such small sized disorderdomains. With nanoribbons, it was unable to detect any unusual Ramanpeaks indicative of Manganese, such as the hausmannite peak seen for thenanoplatelets.

In order to confirm presence of Manganese (Mn²) in nanoplatelets andnanoribbons, elemental analysis by ICPOES was carried out for the drysolid samples. Oxidized graphite, graphene nanoplatelets and reducedgraphene nanoplatelets reported to have 484000, 540000 and 516000 ppm ofmanganese respectively whereas the control graphite has only 0.1 ppm ofmanganese. This confirms the dominating presence of manganese in thesesamples. In case of graphene nanoribbons, 570 ppm was reported. Thoughthe experiment was unable to detect any manganese related peaks in theRaman spectrum of graphene nanoribbons, this value confirmed itspresence. In order to clarify that it was introduced through KMnO₄ basedoxidation of MWCNTs, the content of the starting material, MWCNT and thefinal nanoribbon product were compared. A ˜25 fold increase in manganesecontent was observed, from 25 ppm for MWCNTs to 570 ppm for nanoribbons.This is attributed to the oxidative procedure used in this method. FIG.3 shows the SQUID magnetic characterization of all samples. FIG. 3 (a)shows the plot of magnetization (M) versus magnetic field strength (H)for the control, graphite, between −50,000 Oe and 50,000 Oe for threetemperatures (30K, 150K, and 300K). The negative slope suggests adecrease in the value of magnetic moments with increase in appliedmagnetic field which is characteristic of diamagnetic behavior. FIG. 3(b) shows the M vs. H plot for oxidized graphite. A positive slopeindicating an increase in the value of the magnetic moments with fieldstrength confirms paramagnetic behavior of the samples. The change toparamagnetism upon oxidation of graphite can be attributed to thepresence of the paramagnetic Mn²⁺ ions which were intercalated in thesample as complex manganese oxides during the modified Hummer'sprotocol. Superparamagnetic transition behavior in reduced graphenenanoplatelets derived from graphite was observed. Superparamagnetism, amagnetic phenomenon observed in nanoparticle clusters (<30 nm) offerromagnetic nature, is a size dependent phenomenon where a random flipin the direction of alignment of magnetic moments occurs under theinfluence of temperature. During magnetization measurements, where thesample is subjected to varying magnetic fields at a given temperature, asuperparamagnetic material assumes an ‘S’ shaped curve in a M vs. Hplot. This is because the time taken to measure the magnetization ismuch greater than the time for consecutive flip in the moments. As aresult, in the absence of a magnetic field the average magnetization ismeasured as zero and the curve assumes an ‘S’ shape instead of ahysteresis loop. FIG. 3 (c, d) shows the M vs. H plot for graphenenanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets respectively. From FIG.3 (d), it is evident that at lower temperatures (30K), the nanoplateletsample shows a ferromagnetic hysteresis curve (Whitney, T., Searson, P.,Jiang, J. & Chien, C. Fabrication and Magnetic Properties of Arrays ofMetallic Nanowires. Science (New York, N.Y.) 261, 1316 (1993); Wang, J.,Chen, Q., Zeng, C. & Hou, B. Magnetic Field Induced Growth of SingleCrystalline Fe3O4 Nanowires. Advanced Materials 16, 137-140 (2004)).From the inset of FIG. 3 (d), it is evident that superparamagneticbehavior is observed at room temperature. The zero field cooling (ZFC)and field cooling (FC) curves plotted at uniform field strength of 500Oe and between 0 and 300K are seen in FIG. 3 (e). The peak in the ZFCcurve reveals a blocking temperature (T_(B)) of 40K, indicating atransition between ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic states.

The magnetic behavior of reduced graphene nanoplatelets exhibits a sharpresemblance to that of Hausmannite as previously reported (Du, J. et al.Hausmannite Mn₃O₄ nanorods: synthesis, characterization and magneticproperties. Nanotechnology 17, 4923 (2006)). Ferromagnetism at lowtemperatures and paramagnetism at higher temperatures has been reportedin hausmannite Similar to reduced graphene nanoplatelets, hausmanniteshows a T_(B) of 40K and the plot of M vs. H at different temperaturesfor both materials are similar (Du, J. et al. Hausmannite Mn₃O₄nanorods: synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties.Nanotechnology 17, 4923 (2006)). This verifies the intercalation of thecomplex manganese oxides in nanoplatelets and we can attribute thisbehavior to the presence of the complex manganese oxide, in addition tothe nanostructure of the graphene nanoplatelets (˜20 nm wide). Theremnant magnetization of the hysteresis curve at 30K is 12.47 emu/g andthe coercivity is 6298.68 Oe. According to previous literature, the highcoercivity can be attributed to the single domain nature and high shapeanisotropy of the sample.

There have been several theoretical and a few experimental reports onthe existence of room temperature ferromagnetism in graphene, grapheneoxide and nanoribbon samples (Matte, H. S. S. R., Subrahmanyam, K. &Rao, C. Novel magnetic properties of graphene: Presence of bothferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic features and other aspects. TheJournal of Physical Chemistry C 113, 9982-9985 (2009); Wang, Y. et al.Room-temperature ferromagnetism of graphene. Nano Letters 9, 220-224(2008)). Recent experimental work by Wang et al. using SQUIDmagnetometer on graphene samples that were prepared from graphite oxideand later reduced and annealed, have shown room temperatureferromagnetism (Wang, Y. et al. Room-temperature ferromagnetism ofgraphene. Nano Letters 9, 220-224 (2008)). The possible origin ofmagnetism is attributed to the long range coupling of spin unitsexisting as defects due to the annealing process. They verified theabsence of metallic impurities and attribute the magnetism to theinherent features in graphene due to the processing. In this case, thepresence of manganese in the samples is established through ICPOES andRaman spectroscopy. This is further corroborated by the similarity inthe magnetic data of nanoplatelets and hausmannite. Even though oxidizedgraphite samples show the presence of hausmannite, they exhibitparamagnetic behavior (Du, J. et al. Hausmannite Mn₃O₄ nanorods:synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties. Nanotechnology 17,4923 (2006)). Considering that there are several other factors at playin case of reduced graphene nanoplatelets, the room temperaturesuperparamagnetism of nanoplatelets is attributed to the combination ofpresence of intercalated manganese oxides, the nanocluster size of theplatelets and long range coupling of spin units existing as defect siteson sp² carbon atoms in graphene. Further, the long range orderlycoupling of spin units can be due to intramolecular interaction inindividual sheets or intermolecular interaction between neighboringsheets of graphene multi-layers.

The SQUID analysis of graphene nanoribbons synthesized from MWCNTs alsoshows interesting magnetic properties at room temperature. Magnetizationversus field strength plot for MWCNTs is shown in FIG. 4 (a). Nocoherent magnetic pattern is seen and the magnetic signals are extremelyweak at all three temperatures. The plot of M vs. H for graphenenanoribbons shows superparamagnetic behavior as seen in FIG. 4 (b).However, the inset in FIG. 4 (b) shows parallel lines of the hysteresiscurves at 300K indicating ferromagnetic behavior with a very lowremanence. FIG. 4 (c) indicates FC/ZFC plots and a maximum value on theZFC curve is seen around >300K which reveals a high blockingtemperature, T_(B), greater than room temperature. This explained thethin hysteresis loop at 300K, where a transition of magnetic states wasat play. The saturation magnetization seen at 300K was 0.1 emu/g at 2500Oe. The sample showed a coercive field of 250 Oe at 10K. It has beenreported that iron oxide nanoparticles as well as microstructuresexhibit room temperature superparamagnetism (Deng, H. et al.Monodisperse Magnetic Single-Crystal Ferrite Microspheres. AngewandteChemie International Edition 44, 2782-2785, (2005); Zhao, L. et al.Morphology-controlled synthesis of magnetites with nanoporous structuresand excellent magnetic properties. Chemistry of Materials 20, 198-204(2007)). However, obtaining room temperature ferromagnetism in ironoxides or graphene requires post synthetic high temperature annealingprocesses or embedding the particles in an antiferromagnetic complex(Wang, Y. et al. Room-temperature ferromagnetism of graphene. NanoLetters 9, 220-224 (2008); Sun, S., Murray, C. B., Weller, D., Folks, L.& Moser, A. Monodisperse FePt Nanoparticles and Ferromagnetic FePtNanocrystal Superlattices. Science 287, 1989-1992 (2000)). Recently,room temperature ferromagnetism by synthetic processes at comparativelylow temperatures (185° C.) in magnetite and maghemite iron oxidenanoparticles has been reported (Tan, Y., Zhuang, Z., Peng, Q. & Li, Y.Room-temperature soft magnetic iron oxide nanocrystals: Synthesis,characterization, and size-dependent magnetic properties. Chemistry ofMaterials 20, 5029-5034 (2008)). This study reports a size dependentmagnetic behavior, and the blocking temperature (T_(B), an indicator oftransition from ferromagnetism to superparamagnetism) shows an increasefrom 25K for the 3.2 nm particles to 330K for the 5.4 nm particle size.In the present case, with simple chemical synthetic procedure attemperatures of 70° C., it was able to achieve room temperatureferromagnetic to superparamagnetic transition with T_(B) values >300K.Earlier reports on room temperature superparamagnetism in Fe₂O₃ filledMWCNTs has been reported (Li, J.-h. et al. An easy approach toencapsulating Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in multiwalled carbon nanotubes. NewCarbon Materials 25, 192-198 (2010)).

Relaxivity of Graphene Oxide Nanoplatelets and Nanoribbons:

Single point relaxation measurements were performed at 21.42 MHz, 0.5 Tand 27° C. on all graphene samples dispersed in 1% Pluronic F127surfactant solution at 0.05% concentration. Ultrasonic exfoliation ofoxidized graphite in water resulted in a stable colloidal suspensioncontaining thin sheets of oxidized graphene. This was feasible due tothe hydrophilic nature of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. Oxidizedgraphene sheets are hence different from pristine graphene. The processof reduction, as used here, did not entirely remove all the oxygengroups. The oxidative unzipping of MWCNTs was also known to add thesefunctional groups to the oxidized graphene nanoribbons. Graphenenanoplatelets, reduced graphene nanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbonscan form homogeneous, stable dispersions in aqueous, biocompatiblesolutions such as Pluronic. Table 1 (a, b) provide details on theconcentration of metal ion (Manganese), relaxation rates and relaxivityof each sample. From Table 1(a) it is clear that oxidized graphiteshowed enhanced r₁ and r₂ relaxivities when compared to graphenenanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets. It has been reportedthat the NMR relaxivity measurements of Mn-DPDP (commercially known asTeslascan®), which is a manganese based MRI contrast agent, showsrelaxivity values of r₁=1.88 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ and r₂=2.18 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ in aqueoussolutions at 20 MHz (Schwert, D., Davies, J. & Richardson, N. inContrast Agents I Vol. 221 Topics in Current Chemistry (ed WernerKrause) 165-199 (Springer Berlin/Heidelberg, 2002)). Compared toTeslascan®, oxidized graphite showed double the rate of r₁ and fourtimes in case of r₂. Graphene nanoplatelets showed similar relaxivityvalues when compared to the clinical counterpart Teslascan®. However, asseen in Table 1(b) graphene nanoribbons showed much higher relaxivityranges compared to Teslascan and nanoplatelets. Due to detectionlimitations of the equipment in analyzing trace levels of manganese insmall sample volumes, the metal content of the samples were analyzedfrom two different analytical laboratories which provided us a range ofconcentration of manganese in the nanoribbons and thus an upper andlower bounds of the relaxivity of nanoribbons was calculated. Range ofr₁ is 2.92 to 9.8 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ and r₂ is 14.8 to 50.3 mM⁻¹s⁻¹. Table 1 (b)also shows that nanoribbons exhibit promising contrast agent propertieswhen compared to relaxivities of other clinical contrast agents based onGadolinium (Gd-DTPA) and Super paramagnetic Iron Oxides (Comibidex)(Reichenbach, J. et al. 1H T1 and T2 measurements of the MR imagingcontrast agents Gd-DTPA and Gd-DTPA BMA at 1.5 T. European Radiology 7,264-274 (1997); Corot, C., Robert, P., Idée, J. M. & Port, M. Recentadvances in iron oxide nanocrystal technology for medical imaging.Advanced drug delivery reviews 58, 1471-1504 (2006)).

In Vitro Phantom MRI:

MRI phantom imaging was performed to compare MR signal contrast betweenaqueous graphene nanoribbon samples, MnCl₂ which is a widely usedpreclinical MRI contrast agent and water as controls. RepresentativeT_(I) and T₂ weighted phantom MRI images show a significant contrastenhancement in case of the nanoribbon samples when compared toMnCl₂(r₁=9.2 mM⁻¹s⁻¹; r₂=93 mM⁻¹s⁻¹) at the same Mn²⁺ concentration andwater. Mean signal intensity ratios of nanoribbons and MnCl₂ withrespect to water were compared and as seen in Table 2 (b), a highersignal contrast for nanoribbons was seen in case of T₁ as well as T₂.This is attributed to the interesting room temperature magneticproperties of nanoribbons which results in significant enhancement ofrelaxation rates of the proton molecules.

TABLE 1 (a) Relaxation efficiencies of oxidized graphite, graphenenanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets dispersed in 1%Pluronic F127 solutions [Mn] R₁ R₂ r₁ r₂ Sample mM (s⁻¹) (s⁻¹) mM⁻¹s⁻¹mM⁻¹s⁻¹ Oxidized graphite 0.12 3.02 10.98 22.09 74.74 Graphenenanoplatelets 0.98 1.93 3.3 1.59 2.88 Reduced graphene 1.98 0.88 8.840.25 3.44 nanoplatelets Teslascan (Mn DPDP) 1.88 2.18 **All values arecalculated at 1.5 T and 21.42 MHz

TABLE 1 (b) Relaxation efficiencies of graphene nanoribbons dispersed in1% Pluronic F127 surfactant, compared with clinically used MRI contrastagents. R₁ (pluronic) = 0.37 s⁻¹, R₂ (pluronic) = 2.02 s⁻¹ [Mn] R₁ R₂ r₁r₂ Sample mM (s⁻¹) (s⁻¹) mM⁻¹s⁻¹ mM⁻¹s⁻¹ Graphene nanoribbons 0.045 3.6614.5 73.2 251.4 (GNR) Teslascan (Mn DPDP) 1.88 2.18 Magnevist (Gd DTPA)4.59 5.15 Comibidex(Ferrumoxtran) 9.9 65 **All values are calculated at1.5 T and 20 MHz.

TABLE 2 Comparison of mean signal intensities ratios from T₁- andT₂-phantom images with respect to water T₁ image T₂ image intensityratio to intensity ratio to SAMPLE water water GONR 1.465 5.05 MnCl₂0.9999 2.272

In summary, this example demonstrated the synthesis of a new class offunctionalized graphene nanoplatelets and nanoribbons by simple chemicaloxidative procedure. In the example, functionalized graphenenanoplatelets and nanoribbons were successfully synthesized and thepresence of manganese and its magnetic contribution in graphenenanoplatelets were verified. In case of graphene nanoribbons, veryinteresting magnetic properties were found, with room temperaturemagnetic transition from ferromagnetism to superparamagnetism. Theexample also shows that the structure, chirality and presence ofmagnetic metal ions such as manganese and iron enhance relaxation ratesof these carbon materials significantly. These nanoplatelets andnanoribbons can be used as functionalized graphene based contrast agentsfor MRI imaging.

Example 2

The novel graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs; small stacks (1-12 layers) ofgraphene (one-atom-thick sheets of graphite) with thickness between 1 to5 nanometers (nm) and diameters of ˜50 nm) (FIGS. 1 a and 1 b) wastested as MRI contrast agent in MRI scans of a mouse. The GNPs weremonodispersed, water-soluble, intercalated (insertion of chemicalspecies within the voids between two graphene sheets), and coordinatewith trace amounts of manganese (0.1% w/w (w=weight) of Manganese inGNPs, i.e. 0.1 gram of manganese per 100 gram of GNPs). The GNPs showedrelaxivity of r1=45 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ which is nearly 16 times higher than Mn-DPDP(Teslascan, clinical Mn-based CA, r1=2.8 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ at 3 T) and ˜10 timesgreater than Gd-DTPA (Magnevist, Clinical Gd-based CA, r1=4.2 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ at3 T). Scans using T₁ weighted small animal MRI using a 3 Tesla clinicalscanner (FIG. 6) showed ˜100 times greater contrast enhancement comparedto Magnevist at clinical dosages.

Example 3 Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs)

First, graphite oxide (GO) is prepared from analytical grademicro-graphite using modified Hummer's method (treatment with potassiumpermanganate and concentrated surphuric acid) and converted to graphenenanoplatelets (GNPs) by sonication for 1 h in an ultrasonic bath cleaner(Stankovich, S.; Dikin, D. A. et al. Nature 2006, 442, 282). Next, theGNPs is water solubilized using a synthesis protocol that is similar toa cycloaddition reaction used to add carboxylic acid functionalitiesacross carbon-carbon double bonds of fullerenes and metallofullerenes(Sithamaran, B.; Zakharian, T. Y. et al. Molecular Pharmaceutics 2008,5, 567).). The GNPs is water solubilized by covalently or non-covalentlycoating them with natural polymers such as dextran and syntheticpolymers such as polyethylene glycol.

Controls

Magnevist is used in experiments where controls are needed, since it isconsidered the benchmark for clinical MRI contrast media. Additionally,the physio-chemical, pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and imagingproperties of GNP MRI CAs is compared to published values 5,9of otherFDA-approved clinical Gd-based MRI CAs such as Omniscan (gadodiamide,Gd-DTPA-BMA, GE Healthcare), OptiMARK (gadoversetamide, Gd-DTPABMEA,Covidien Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine, Gd-DTPA, Bayer ScheringPharma), MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine, Gd-BOPTA, BraccoDiagnostics), Gadovist (gadobutrol, Gd-BT-DO3A, Bayer Schering Pharma)and Dotarem (gadoterate meglumine, Gd-DOTA, Guerbet).

Animals

Wistar rats (Charles River labs, Wilmington, Mass.) is used since thisanimal model has been widely used in previous preclinical MRI CA studies(Vogler, H.; et al; European Journal of Radiology 1995, 21, 1).

Synthesize and Functionalize GNP MRI CAs for Water-Solubility andPhysio-Chemical Characterization

Osmolality

This test measures the concentration of all chemical particles found inthe fluid component of blood. Osmolality is an important factor inanalysis of tolerance for contrast medium, whereby both local andsystemic reactions play their part especially at higher doses (Cohan, R.H.; Leder, R. A. et al. J. Invest Radiol 1990, 26, 224; Gennaro, A. R.Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th edn 1985, 1455; Runge, V. M.;Kirsch, J. E.; Burke, V. J. J Magn Reson Imaging 1992, 2, 9). Osmolalityis determined using a differential thermistor osmometer at 37° C. TwoGNP concentrations, 0.5 mol/l solution (0.57 osmol/kg) and for the 1mol/l solution (1.39 osmol/kg), is used. These values have been chosenbased on preclinical studies of other Gdbased MRI CAs.

Partition Coefficient

Partition coefficient analysis offers a measure of the hydrophilicity(“water loving”) or hydrophobicity (“water fearing”) levels of the GNPMRI CAs (Leo, A.; Hansch, C.; Elkins, D. Chem Rev 1971, 71, 525). Thepartition coefficient allows estimation of GNP distribution within thebody. If GNPs show high partition coefficients, this is an indicatorthat this CA will be preferentially distributed to hydrophobiccompartments such as lipid bilayers of cells and if low partitioncoefficient are observed, GNPs will be preferentially found inhydrophilic compartments such as blood serum. The partition coefficientis measured using butanol and Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.6). After completeseparation of the phases, the GNP concentration in the butanol andbuffer is determined by means of Raman spectroscopy.

In Vitro Relaxivity

The relaxivity r₁ (3 T clinical MR scanner, temperature=37° C.) of GNPsin water and bovine plasma is calculated using the equation:r₁=(R₁−R₀)/[Mn²⁺] where R₁ and R₀ are the longitudinal relaxation rates(R_(0,1)=1/T_(0,1) s⁻¹) of the GNP solution and plain water or bovineplasma, respectively and [Mn₂₊] is the manganese concentration.

Protein Binding

Efficacy of the CA may be affected by the degree to which it binds toblood plasma proteins (Vogler, H.; et al; European Journal of Radiology1995, 21, 1). Thus, protein binding is measured in human plasma at aconcentration of 1 mmol/l by means of ultrafiltration.

Histamine Release

Histamine release of macrophages is an important phenomenon connected tovarious adverse reactions to MRI CAs (Lorenz, W.; Doenicke, A. et al.The role of histamine in adverse reactions to intraveneous agents In:Thornton, editor. Adverse Reactions of Anaesthetic Drugs, Elsevier Press1981, 169). Mast cells (also known as mastocytes and labrocytes),resident cells in several tissue types, containing granules rich inhistamine is incubated in buffer containing GNP MRI CAs (Magnevist isused as the control) concentrations ranging from 0 to 250 mmol/l. TheIso, the concentration at which histamine release approximates 50% ofthe release caused by the histamine liberator compound 48/80, iscalculated.

In vivo MRI studies to assess the impact of water-soluble GNPs as highperformance MRI CAs in rats

MRI investigations is performed on rats with lesions that mimic lesionsin the heart, brain or muscles in humans. Induction of cerebralinfarcts, brain tumors or intramuscular tumors in rats (male, Wistarrats, 170-180 g, n=3 per group) is achieved using well establishedprotocols (Vogler, H.; et al; European Journal of Radiology 1995, 21,1). Before imaging, the animals are anesthetized (isoflurane), and acatheter is fixed in a tail vein for injection of the contrast agent.Immediately after contrast agent injection, approximately 5 mL of 0.9%normal saline is injected to ensure that all the MRI CA is cleared fromthe infusion tubing. A 3 T clinical MR scanner (Siemens medical systems,Malverns, Pa.) is used, and T₁-weighted spin-echo-images are acquired.Imaging is performed before and 1 min after injection of 0.1 mmol/kg ofGNPs or Magnevist (control) and 1 min after injection of an additionaldose of 0.2 mmol/kg given 5 min after the first dose into the sameanimal. Post-contrast images are obtained in the same plane and with thesame parameters as the pre-contrast study. The signal to noise ratio andthe contrast to noise ratio (CNR) in the experimental and control groupsare obtained in the field of interest and statistical analysisperformed. Images are reviewed by two radiologists experienced in theinterpretation of MR images. Efficacy of the CA is evaluated and aconsensus among clinical practitioners are reached using the followingcriteria: a) provision of additional information toward diagnosis; b)increase in the confidence of the diagnosis; c) detection of lesions nototherwise visible; and, d) provision of important information forgreater characterization of lesions seen with other pulse sequences. Incases in which lesion enhancement is evident, the agent is judged to beof: a) no help; b) minor help; c) moderate help; or, d) major help indiagnosis.

In vivo pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and toxicity studies in rats

Elimination and Biodistribution

To determine long-term elimination and biodistribution, 0.25 mmol/kg ofGNP MRI CAs are injected intravenously into a tail vein of five male andfive female Wistar rats, weighing 90-110 g. The animals are then placedin metabolic cages.

Urine and feces are collected daily and the GNP and manganese contentmeasured.

Animals are sacrificed 7 days post-injection. Blood, liver, kidneys,spleen, bone samples (femur), brain and the remaining body are collectedfor measurement of GNP content by Raman spectroscopy and manganesecontent by inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy.

Pharmacokinetics

Experiments are performed on five Wistar rats, weighing 90-110 g. Beforeand during the experiment, the animals are housed in individualmetabolism cages. ¹²⁵I-GNP (¹²⁵I radioactive half life=59.4 days) isinjected into the tail vein at a dose of 0.25 mmol/kg. blood (0.5 ml),and blood is withdrawn from the jugular vein before and at 5, 10, 20 and30 min and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6, and 24 h and 7 days after GNP MRI CAinjection. Urine is collected quantitatively at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 24 hand, then, daily for 7 days. Feces is collected quantitatively daily for7 days. Aliquots of urine, feces and plasma samples are assayedradiometrically by gamma scintillation counter. Urine fractions andplasma samples (5 or 20 min and 2 h after injection) are assayed forpotential metabolites using HPLC analysis.

A model-independent approach is applied using the pharmacokineticprogram, TOPFIT, for the calculation of the terminal eliminationhalf-life in plasma, as well as clearance and steady state volume ofdistribution from the plasma and urine data (Heinzel, G.; Woloszczak, R.et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data analysis system NewYork: Gustav Fischer Verlag Stuttgart, Jena 1993).

Acute Toxicity

The GNP MRI CA (2 mols/l) is injected intravenously into male and femaleWistar rats (90-110 g, male to female ratio 1:1). Doses are 10, 50, 100,250 mmol/kg and each dosage group is comprised of eight animals. Theanimals are monitored throughout an observation period of 7 days postinjection. The LD₅₀ are calculated by means of probit analysis (Neter,J.; Kutner, M. H.; et al. Applied linear statistical models 1996, WCBMcGraw).

Example 4

This example demonstrates that oxidative chemical procedures used tosynthesize graphite oxide or graphene nanoparticles leads to theconfinement (intercalation) of trace amounts of Mn² ions between thegraphene sheets, and that these manganese intercalated graphitic andgraphene structures show disparate structural, chemical and magneticproperties, and high relaxivity (up to 2 order) and distinctly differentnuclear magnetic resonance dispersion profiles compared to paramagneticchelate compounds. The results show that confinement (intercalation) ofparamagnetic metal ions within graphene sheets, and not the size, shapeor architecture of the graphitic carbon particles is the key determinantfor increasing relaxivity, and thus, identifies nano confinement ofparamagnetic ions as novel general strategy to develop paramagneticmetal-ion graphitic-carbon complexes as high relaxivity MRI contrastagents.

Materials and Method

1. Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanoribbons Synthesis

A total of 5 batches of graphene nanoplalets and nanoribbons wereprepared and characterized. All the results presented except therelaxivity results are representative data of a single batch. Oxidizedmicro-graphite was prepared from analytical grade micro-graphite (SigmaAldrich, New York) by modified Hummer's method as described inExample 1. In a typical exfoliation procedure, dried oxidizedmicro-graphite (200 mg) was suspended in a round bottom flask containingwater (200 ml) and sonicated for 1 h in an ultrasonic bath cleaner(Fischer Scientific, FS60, 230W). 50 ml of this uniform solution wascentrifuged and pellet was dried overnight to obtain oxidized graphenenanoplatelets. The remaining 150 ml was treated with hydrazine hydrate(1.5 ml, 37.1 mmol), and heated in an oil bath at 100° C. under a watercooled condenser for 12 h, resulting in a black precipitate. The productwas isolated, and washed over a medium sintered glass filter funnel withwater (500 ml) and methanol (500 ml) and dried by continuous air flow toyield reduced graphene nanoplatelets.

Graphene nanoribbons were prepared from MWCNTs (Sigma Aldrich, New York)in a procedure similar to the one described in Example 1. MWCNTs (150mg, 12.5 mequiv of carbon) were suspended in 30 ml of conc. H₂SO₄ for 2h. KMnO₄(750 mg, 4.75 mmol) was added, and the mixture was allowed tostir for 1 h. The reaction was then heated in an oil bath at 55-70° C.for an additional 1 h, until completion. It was cooled to roomtemperature, and the product was washed with water, ethanol and ether,and subsequently isolated by centrifugation.

2. Characterization of Magnetic Behavior

Magnetization of graphite, graphene and control samples was studiedusing a super conducting quantum interference device (SQUID)magnetometer with a sensitivity of about 10⁻⁸ emu. The samples werecarefully weighed and loaded in gelatin capsules. Samples were analyzedbetween the applied magnetic field range of −50000 Oe to 50000 Oebetween 0 and 300K. In the Field cooling and Zero Field cooling mode, acoercive field of 500 Oe was applied for studying magnetization as afunction of temperature.

3. EPR Measurements

All the EPR spectra were measured at room temperature (˜296K) undersimilar experimental conditions on a Bruker X-band EPR Spectrometeroperating at ˜9.8 GHz microwave frequency with high 100 KHz magneticfield modulation frequency. The magnetic fields and g-values werecalibrated with a standard solid sample of diphenyl picrylhydrazyl(DPPH, g=2.0036). The EPR of blank quartz tube was measured to calibrateEPR baseline for the EPR spectra. All EPR spectra were measured twice,first with 1 k Gauss sweep width, and next with 6 k Gauss sweep width.The solid samples of graphite, graphene and controls were loaded intoWilmad Quartz EPR tubes. The quartz EPR sample tubes were washedthoroughly with deionized water, and dried prior to loading of thesamples. The EPR measurements on the aqueous samples were done by usinga quartz flat tube designed for aqueous and other solvents with highdielectric constants. Before loading the liquid samples, the quartz EPRflat tube was washed thoroughly with deionized water and dried. Theloading of aqueous samples into the quartz flat tube was done carefullyinto the flat portion of the tube for maximum sensitivity.

4. Proton Relaxivity Measurements

For relaxivity measurements, 1 mg of oxidized micro-graphite, oxidizedgraphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphene nanoplatelets or graphenenanoribbon samples were dispersed in 2 ml of biologically compatible 1%Pluronic F127 surfactant solution, bath sonicated at 30 W for 10 min,and finally centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 1 h. The centrifugation allowedthe non-water-solubilized large and dense graphene nanoparticles tosettle to the bottom, and allowed the separation of soluble graphenenanoparticles in the supernatant. The supernatant solutions were alsochecked for the presence of any free Mn² ions. This was achieved byfirst flocculating the graphene nanoparticles with HCl, and then testingthe clear solution with sodium bismuthate (NaBiO₃) in HNO₃. In thisreaction, manganese is oxidized from the +2 oxidation state (Mn⁺²) tothe +7 oxidation state (MnO₄ ⁻) which has distinctive purple or pinkcolor. No such color change was observed indicating that no free Mn²⁺ions were present in the supernatant solution.

The supernatants solutions containing the soluble graphene nanoparticleswere used for relaxometry measurements. The longitudinal and transverserelaxation times (T₁, T₂) were measured at 20 MHz (0.47 T) on a MinispecNMR spectrometer (Bruker Instruments, Woodland, Tex.). Each sample wasprepared at five known concentrations by serial dilution. Thetemperature was maintained at 40° C. during the measurements. T₁ and T₂relaxation times of each experimental sample and the control (1%Pluronic 127 solution) were measured using inversion recovery, and CPMGmethods, respectively. The inverse of the relaxation times represent therespective relaxation rates, R₁ and R₂. A plot of relaxation rate(y-axis) versus concentration (x-axis) was created, and was fit to alinear curve. The slope of this linear fit gave the value of relaxivity.Single point relaxivity (r₁) was obtained during NMRD measurements. Therelaxivity values (r₁), were calculated using the formular₁=(R₁−R₀)/[Mn²⁺]; where R_(1, 2) and R₀ are the longitudinal ortransverse relaxation rates of the samples, and 1% Pluronic F127surfactant solution respectively, and [Mn²⁺] is the concentration ofManganese in the volume of solution used for relaxation measurements.The 1/T₁ NMR dispersion (NMRD) profiles at magnetic fields correspondingto a proton Larmor frequency range 0.01-40 MHz were obtained using afast field cycling relaxometer (SPINMASTER FFC2000, Stelar Inc, Pavia,Italy). A High Field Superconducting Dipole (HTS) electromagnet was usedto acquire the relaxation data from 25 to 80 MHz range of proton Larmorfrequency. The temperature was fixed to 27° C., and was controlled by aStelar VTC-91 airflow heater, equipped with a copper-constantanthermocouple; the temperature calibration in the probe head was donewith a Delta OHM digital thermometer, with an absolute accuracy of 0.5°C.

Results and Discussion

FIG. 9 shows the SQUID magnetic characterization of oxidized graphite,oxidized graphene nanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets.Analytical grade micro-graphite used as the starting material for thepreparation of these particles was the control in these experiments.FIG. 9 a shows the plot of magnetization (M) versus magnetic fieldstrength (H) for the analytical grade micro-graphite (control) between−50,000 Oe and 50,000 Oe for three temperatures (30K, 150K, and 300K).The negative slope indicates a decrease in the value of magnetic momentswith increase in applied magnetic field, which is characteristic ofdiamagnetic behavior. FIGS. 9 b and 9 c show the M versus H plot foroxidized graphite and oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, respectively. Theplots show a linear increase in the value of the magnetic moments withfield strength indicating paramagnetic behavior for both oxidizedgraphite and oxidized graphene nanoplatelets. The change toparamagnetism upon oxidation of graphite can be attributed to thepresence of the paramagnetic Mn²⁺ ions present in the sample. FIG. 9 dshows the M versus H plot of reduced graphene nanoplatelets. The plotdisplays a ferromagnetic hysteresis curve at the lower temperature (30K)indicating superparamagnetic behavior (inset of FIG. 9 d) at roomtemperature (300K). Room temperature superparamagnetism has been widelyreported in nanoparticle clusters (<30 nm) (Whitney et al., 1993,Science 261: 1316; and Wang et al., 2004, Advanced Materials 16:137-140), and is a size dependent phenomenon, wherein, the thermalenergy of the nanoparticle is sufficient to allow flips in the magneticspin direction, and insufficient to overcome the spin-spin exchangecoupling energy. As a result, in the absence of a magnetic field, thenet magnetization measured is zero, and the M versus H curve assumes an‘S’ shape instead of a hysteresis loop. The zero field cooling (ZFC) andfield cooling (FC) curves for the reduced graphene nanoplatelets atuniform field strength of 500 Oe and between 10K and 300K are shown inFIG. 9 e. The peak in the ZFC curve reveals a blocking temperature(T_(B)) of 40K indicating a transition between ferromagnetic andsuperparamagnetic states. The remnant magnetization of the hysteresiscurve at 30K is 12.47 emu/g and the coercivity is 6298.68 Oe and couldbe attributed to the single domain nature, and high shape anisotropy ofthe sample (Du et al., 2006, Nanotechnology 17: 4923). The results forreduced graphene nanoplatelets exhibit sharp resemblance with that ofhausmannite (Du et al., 2006, Nanotechnology 17: 4923). Room temperaturemagnetism has been reported in carbon nanomaterials such as fullerenes,carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofoams, graphene, nanodiamonds and graphite(Makarova, 2004, Semiconductors 38: 615-638, Wang, et al., 2008, NanoLetters 9: 220-224, and Esquinazi et al., 2002, Physical Review B 66:024429). The magnetic characteristic of these materials includespin-glass-like paramagnetic or ferromagnetic behavior attributed eitherto the presence of metal impurities or presence of defects in thegraphite lattice structure. In case of the oxidized graphite, oxidizedgraphene nanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets, the defectscreated in graphitic lattice structure during the oxidation orexfoliation process may contribute to the observed magnetic behavior.However, theoretical and experimental studies show the defects ingraphitic structures induce very weak magnetic behavior with saturationmagnetic moment values of approximately 10⁻³-10⁻⁶ emu/g (Zhou et al.,2010, Thin Solid Films 519: 1989-1992. Thus, the observed magneticbehavior reported above should be mainly due to the presence ofmanganese.

FIG. 10 shows the SQUID magnetic characterization of MWCNTs (control),and graphene nanoribbons. FIG. 10 a shows the plot of magnetization (M)versus magnetic field strength (H) for the MWCNTs between −50,000 Oe and50,000 Oe for three temperatures (10K, 150K, and 300K). The plots showno coherent magnetic pattern, and the magnetic signals are extremelyweak at all three temperatures indicating diamagnetic behavior despitethe presence of iron catalysts in the MWCNTs.

FIG. 10 b displays the plot of M versus H for graphene nanoribbonsbetween −50,000 Oe and 50,000 Oe for three temperatures (10K, 150K, and300K). Even though, the M versus H curve seems to assume an ‘S’ shapeinstead of a hysteresis loop, closer analysis of the curve (see inset inFIG. 10 b) indicates ferromagnetic behavior with a very low remanence.The SQUID analysis indicates ferromagnetism at 30K, 150K and 300K.Closer analysis shows interesting magnetic properties at roomtemperature. The temperature dependence of the magnetization atzero-field cooled (ZFC) as well as field cooled (FC) conditions isplotted in FIG. 10 c at magnetic field strength 500 Oe (temperaturerange 10-300K). It is clear from the graph that all the graphenenanoribbons show ferromagnetic behavior at low temperatures, and showbifurcation of the ZFC and FC branches. The temperature at which the FCand ZFC curves bifurcate (also referred as the irreversibilitytemperature), as well as the blocking temperature (T_(B)) is 300K. FIG.10 c indicates FC/ZFC plots, and a maximum value on the ZFC curve isseen at a value >300K, which is greater than room temperature. The ZFCmagnetization curves show a broad maximum below the bifurcationtemperature. The bifurcating FC and ZFC curves indicate thermodynamicirreversibility, and could have its origin in the effects like strongcompeting interaction between ferromagnetic and anti-ferromagneticphases, and phase separations at a nanoscale due to the occurrence of alow temperature spin-glass-like state or a mixed phase (Zhou et al.,2010, Thin Solid Films 519: 1989-1992; Bie et al, 2010, Solid StateSciences 12: 1364-1367; Raley et al., 2006, Journal of alloys andcompounds 423: 184-187). The saturation magnetization seen at 300K is0.1 emu/g at 2500 Oe. The sample shows a coercive field of 250 Oe at10K. The magnetism results clearly indicate that the graphenenanoribbons exhibit room-temperature weak ferromagnetism. The elementalanalysis of graphene nanoribbons showed that apart from manganese, traceamounts of iron (0.005 wt % or 50 μg Fe per gram) was also present inthese samples. The MWCNTs used in the preparation of the graphenenanoribbons do not show any magnetic behavior even though they containiron nanoparticles as catalyst (0.1 wt %) (Sigma-Aldrich I Certificateof Analysis—MWCNT) which is 20 times greater than the amount found ingraphene nanoribbons. Furthermore, it has been reported that presence ofFe or Fe₃O₄ clusters with Fe concentration of 1-500 μg Fe per gram (1ppm) graphite contribute 2.2×10⁻⁵ to 4×10⁻³ emu/g to the magnetization(Esquinazi et al., 2002, Physical Review B 66: 024429). The aboveinformation taken together suggests that the presence of trace amountsof iron does not contribute significantly to the observed magneticbehavior of the graphene nanoribbons. Several recent studies show thatpoint defects of oxygen vacancies in metal oxide nanostructures couldresult in weak ferromagnetism (Schoenhalz et al., 2009, Applied PhysicsLetters 94: 162503; and Kundaliya et al., 2004, Nature materials 3:709-714), and similar defect in the manganese oxide due to itsinteractions with the graphene nanoribbons could be responsible forobserved magnetic behavior. However, more studies are needed to confirmthis hypothesis.

FIGS. 11 a-11 d show the EPR spectra of the oxidized micro-graphite,oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphene nanoplatelets andgraphene nanoribbons, respectively (the blank EPR spectrum of the quartzEPR tube and DPPH standard is shown in FIG. 17). The g values, EPR linewidths at half heights (ΔH_(1/2), Gauss) and electron relaxation time(T₂) of each EPR spectra are listed in Table 3a. All samples show broadpeak (ΔH_(1/2)) at their respective g values. However, graphenenanoribbons show ΔH_(1/2) values 2.6 times greater than oxidizedmicrographite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets and reduced graphenenanoplatelets, which have similar ΔH_(1/2) values. The large line widthindicates short electron relaxation time (T_(2e)), and the calculatedT_(2e) values were between 0.19-21 nanoseconds for oxidizedmicrographite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, and reduced graphenenanoplatelets. Graphene nanoribbons have T_(2e) values 0.072nanoseconds; at least 2.9 times shorter than the other compounds. TheEPR spectra of the graphene nanoribbons samples also shows a narrow peakin the center, which indicates presence of free radical species,possibly due to defect centers in the nanoribbon structures as reported(Rao et al., 2011, New J Phys 13: 113004). The free radical species haveg of 2.007, and line width of 1.2 Gauss, and thus have very longelectron relaxation time (T_(2e)) of 88.2 nanoseconds. The large linebroadening in all the compounds indicates significantmanganese-to-manganese dipolar interaction. A reduction in the amount ofmanganese in the sample should decrease the line broadening, and resolvethe 6-line manganese hyperfine structure in the EPR spectrum, andconsequently, decrease the electron relaxation time.

FIGS. 12 a-d show the EPR spectra of aqueous solutions of oxidizedmicro-graphite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphenenanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons, respectively (the blank EPRspectrum of the quartz EPR tube and the EPR spectrum of the DPPH isshown in FIG. 17). The g values, EPR line widths at half heights(ΔH_(1/2), Gauss), hyperfine coupling constant, and electron relaxationtime (T_(2e)) of each EPR spectra are listed in Table 3b. All the foursamples show 6-line EPR characteristic of an electron coupled to Mn-55nucleus with spin I=5/2. The EPR spectra of graphene nanoribbons alsoshow a narrow EPR line at the center with g-2.007, and line width of 1.2Gauss due to the presence of free radicals. The observed g values arevery close to the free electron spin value, and suggest the absence ofspin-orbit coupling in the ground state of manganese ions present in allfour samples. The manganese hyperfine coupling (A_(Mn)) of approximately95 Gauss in these samples are very close to that of aqua ions ofmanganese, Mn(H₂O)₆. The large hyperfine coupling indicates octahedralcoordination in the manganese species of all four samples. The fouraqueous samples also show similar narrow line width (ΔH_(1/2)) valuesbetween 29.2-31.5 Gauss indicative of long electron relaxation time(T_(2e)). The calculated T_(2e) values were between 2.08-2.25 ns. Thefree radical species present in the graphene nanoribbons have an orderof magnitude longer electron relaxation time (T_(2e)) of 55 ns. Itshould be noted that the EPR spectra only shows the Mn(II) ions. Thespectra did not show presence of Mn(III) ions or other oxidation statesof manganese even though, the Raman spectrum of at least reducedgraphene nanoplatelets show the presence of Mn(III) ions. A possiblereason of this non-detection could be that all the EPR measurements weredone at room temperature. Mn(III) ions or other oxidation states ofManganese have very short electron relaxation times, and require verylow sample temperatures (˜77K) to obtain an EPR spectra. Thus, lowtemperature measurements were also carried out on all the four samples.However, the EPR spectra (results not shown) was dominated by Mn (II)contributions, and the presence of other oxidation states of manganesecould not be confirmed, suggesting that most of the manganese ionspresent in the four samples are present in Mn(II) state.

Relaxivity (r_(1,2)) is an important measure of the efficacy of an MRIcontrast agent. Table 4 shows the relaxivity values at 0.47 T foroxidized micro-graphite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, reducedgraphene nanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons at 40° C. Also includedfor comparative purposes are range of relaxivity values of clinicallyapproved Gd³⁺-based and Mn² based chelate complexes (Rohrer et al.,2005, Investigative Radiology 40: 715-724). The table clearly shows thatall four compounds show significantly higher r₁ and r₂ relaxivitiescompared to paramagnetic chelate complexes. At 0.47 T, the r₁ and r₂values for the graphite and graphene samples are ˜8-10 times, and 19-60times greater than paramagnetic chelate complexes. Among the graphiticand graphene samples, at 0.47 T, graphene nanoribbons, and oxidizedgraphite showed higher (˜20%) r₁ values than oxidized graphenenanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets. However, the trend forr₂:r₁ ratio was reduced graphene nanoplatelets>graphenenanoribbons>oxidized micro-graphite>oxidized graphene nanoplatelets.This trend is along expected lines since, the magnetism results showthat graphene nanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons aresuperparamagnetic at 40° C. It is well-known that superparamagneticmaterials mainly affect transverse T₂ relaxation, and thus, increase ther₂/r₁ ratio. However the r₂/r₁ ratio is lower than iron-based T₂contrast agents that have ratios of 10 or more. T₁ contrast agents haver₂/r₁ ratios about 1˜2 (Laurent et al., 2008, Chemical Reviews 108:2064-2110). Thus, the manganese-intercalated graphitic, and grapheneparticles may be better suited as T₁ contrast agents even though athigher fields (3 T or above), the reduced graphene nanoplatelets andgraphene nanoribbons would give rise to T₂* effects.

The NMRD profiles between 0.01-80 MHz of aqueous solutions of oxidizedgraphite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphenenanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons is presented in FIG. 13 a-d. Thisis the first report of longitudinal r₁ relaxivities for these compoundsover such a large magnetic field range (0.01-80). While oxidizedmicro-graphite and reduced graphene nanoplatelets show similar NMRDprofiles, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, and graphene nanoribbons showdistinctly different profiles than these two samples. At mid-to-highmagnetic field (<10 MHz), oxidized micro-graphite shows a smallerincrease (50-66 mM⁻¹s⁻¹) with decrease in magnetic field, and a greaterincrease with decrease to lower magnetic fields (70-222 mM⁻¹s⁻¹).Oxidized graphene nanoplatelets shows bell shaped distribution atmid-to-high magnetic fields with a maximum of 55 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ at 30 MHz, anda gradual increase up to 86 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ as the magnetic fields decreasebelow 10 MHz. Reduced graphene nanoplatelets shows a small increase(44-59 mM⁻¹s⁻¹) with decrease in magnetic field between 80-10 MHz, andthe relaxivity increases at lower magnetic fields with a maximum valueof 258 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ at 0.01 MHz. Graphene nanoribbons show a linear increase(relaxivity between 65-100 mM⁻¹s⁻¹) with decrease in magnetic fields upto 10 MHz, and then a continuous steep increase below 10 MHz reachingvalues of 724 mM-1s-1 at 0.01 MHz.

The NMRD profiles of these compounds are different than the profiles ofother manganese-based small molecular or macromolecular complexes(Lauffer, 1987, Chem Rev 87: 901-927; and Sur et al., 1995, J Phys Chem99: 4900-4905). For example, small molecule Mn²⁺ complexes such asMn-DTPA (DTPA=diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid) show a constantvalues of ˜1.9 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ at fields greater than 10 MHz, and marginalincrease at fields less than 10 MHz. Macromolecular complexesMn²⁺-DTPA-BSA (BSA=bovine serum albumin) show a bell-shaped relaxivitydistribution at magnetic field between 10-80 MHz with a peak value of 26mM⁻¹s⁻¹ at 20 MHz (Lauffer, 1987, Chem Rev 87: 901-927). At magneticfields less than 10 MHz, the relaxivity is constant at ˜14 mM⁻¹s⁻¹.Similar profiles have been reported for small and large moleculecomplexes of Gd³⁺ ions (Lauffer, 1987, Chem Rev 87: 901-927). Theprofiles are also different than profiles of Gd³⁺@C₆₀ (gadofullerenes)which show profiles similar to those of Mn²⁺- or Gd³⁺ macromolecularcomplexes (Toth et al., 2005, J Am Chem Soc 127: 799-805). However, theprofiles of Gd³⁺@ultrashort-single-walled carbon tubes (gadonanotubes)(Ananta et al., 2010, Nature nanotechnology 5: 815-821) have featuressimilar to those observed by Mn²⁺ intercalated graphitic and graphenecompounds, i.e. increase in relaxivity with decrease in magnetic fieldwith a greater increase at magnetic fields below 10 MHz. The profile ofthe gadonanotubes at lower magnetic fields (<10 MHz) is most similar tothat of graphene nanoribbons.

The Solomon-Bloembergan-Morgan (SBM) set of equations (see below) areconsidered to give the best theoretical description on how factors suchas the water proton interactions with the contrast agent, magneticproperties of the contrast agent, and the molecular dynamics of thecontrast agent affect the relaxation rate of the water protons atmagnetic fields greater than 0.1 Tesla (Merbach et al., 2001, TheChemistry of Contrast Agents in Medical Magnetic Resonance Imaging: JohnWiley & Sons. p. 471). It is widely accepted that there are three typesof water molecules that can be influenced by the MRI CA: (a) the watermolecules directly co-ordinated to the paramagnetic metal center of theCA are known as the inner-sphere water molecules; (b) the watermolecules not co-ordinated to the magnetic metal center of the contrastagent, but chemically-bound to other molecules (e.g. ligands, chelates)of the CA are called the second sphere water molecules; and (c) the moredistant water molecules that are not bound to the MRI CA, but diffuseclose to it are termed the outer-sphere water molecules. Experimentalnuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) profiles are typically fitusing the SBM equations to determine these factors that influence protonrelaxivity (Aime et al., 1998, Chemical Society Reviews 27: 19-29;Caravan et al., 1999, Chem Rev 99: 2293-2352; Lauffer, 1987, Chem Rev87: 901-927; and Merbach et al., 2001, The Chemistry of Contrast Agentsin Medical Magnetic Resonance Imaging: John Wiley & Sons. p. 471).Recent reports suggest that for gadonanotubes, the factors that governtheir interactions with the inner-sphere water protons such asproton/water exchange rate, and the rotational correlation time areresponsible for most of the observed r₁ relaxivity (Ananta et al., 2010,Nature nanotechnology 5: 815-821). Thus, SBM equations that describe theinner-sphere interactions were the main focus. FIGS. 13 a-d show theNMRD profiles of the oxidized graphite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets,reduced graphene nanoplatelets, and graphene nanoribbons, respectively.Also included are the corresponding best-fit, physically reasonablevalues (within the range of values reported for other Gd(III) andMn(II)-based compounds) for the various inner-sphere parameters. (Adiscussion of our fitting approach is presented below). Table 5 liststhe computed parameters, their definitions and values (Table 8 lists thefixed parameters, their definitions and values). In general, the SBMequations provide an acceptable fit at high fields (>10 MHz) or lowfield (<0.5 MHz). Overall, the fits were more accurate for oxidizedmicro-graphite, and reduced graphene nanoplatelets than for oxidizedgraphene nanoplatelets and nanoribbons. This indicates that the SBMequations may not be an entirely satisfactory model for all thecompounds synthesized here. Nevertheless, the parameters returned by thecurve-fitting algorithm were discussed below to examine if they are inline with those reported elsewhere.

The parameter Δ² represents the zero-field splitting energy of theparamagnetic metal's electrons. Even in the absence of an applied field,which is normally used to produce Zeeman splitting, splitting can stilloccur due to random motions and distortions of the complex. The fieldsgenerated by these interactions produce energy which induces relaxationin the nearby protons. The correlation time for this splitting is termedτ_(V). These two parameters are important in determining theeffectiveness of the paramagnetic center. Δ² is generally in the rangeof 10¹⁸-10²⁰ s⁻². The values found from the fits are well within theaccepted range. The value of τ_(V) is generally accepted as being from1-100 picoseconds (Lauffer, 1987, Chem Rev 87: 901-927). The values wehave found are in this range. In case of τ_(R), the rotationalcorrelation time, values in the 10 ps to 2 ns range were reported (Aimeet al., 2002, Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry 7: 58-67;Lauffer, 1987, Chem Rev 87: 901-927; and Toth et al., 2005, J Am ChemSoc 127: 799-805), while for gadonanotubes values dropping into thenanosecond to microsecond range were also reported (Ananta et al., 2010,Nature nanotechnology 5: 815-821). The results obtained for themicro-graphite and graphene samples are in the nanosecond time scale.The parameter q represents the number of fast-exchanging water moleculeswithin the inner sphere, and its value was 8 for all the samples. Thesevalues fall outside the range of values for q obtained for variousparamagnetic complexes, which are between 1 and 6. However, q values ashigh as high as 20 have reported for gadofullerenes (Toth et al., 2005,J Am Chem Soc 127: 799-805). Theoretical studies on Manganeseintercalation within graphene suggest coordination of manganese to thegraphene sheets with 1-3 co-ordination bonds (Mao et al., 2008,Nanotechnology 19: 205708). Assuming most of the intercalated grapheneis Mn² in the high spin state, the co-ordination number can be between 4and 8 and thus, the possible co-ordination sites for water moleculeswill be between 1 and 7, and value obtained from the NMRD fits is closeto this value. Additionally, the EPR results also indicate that thisvalue is reasonable. The parameter τ_(M), the water-residence lifetimehas a dual effect on the relaxivity. On one hand, the longer a watermolecule is resident in the inner sphere, the more time the paramagneticcenter can influence its spin. However, if its resident time is toolong, it blocks the ability of other water molecules from co-ordinatingto the paramagnetic metal center, and can reduce the overall relaxivity.Hence, the optimum relaxivity is somewhere between the possibleextremes. Literature reports show a wide range τ_(M) values. Smallmolecule complexes are generally in the range of 11-100 ps, whilemacromolecules such as paramagnetic liposomes (Hak et al., 2009,European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 72: 397-404),gadofullerenes (Toth et al., 2005, J Am Chem Soc 127: 799-805),gadonanotubes (Ananta et al., 2010, Nature nanotechnology 5: 815-821)have values between 100-500 ns. The values found from the fits rangebetween a few to hundreds of nanoseconds. To corroborate this data, ¹⁷Omeasurements were performed at 14 T, and the water exchange correlationtime (τ_(M)) was estimated by analyzing the data according to the Swiftand Connick theory (see below) (Swift et al., 1962, J Chem Phys 37:307). The τ_(M) value was estimated to be hundreds of ns for all samplesat 27° C. While these values corroborate well with the τ_(M) valuesobtained from NMRD fits oxidized micro-graphite and oxidized graphenenanoplatelets, they are 100 times greater than the values of reducedgraphene nanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons. The NMRD fits obtainedby fixing the values of τ_(M) at hundreds of nanoseconds for these twosamples gave good fits, and reasonable values for other parameters incase of reduced graphene nanoplatelets, however, a poor fit was obtainedfor graphene nanoribbons (See FIG. 23). The separation distance, r_(MnH)between the water protons and the paramagnetic metal ion (Mn²⁺ ion inthis case) is raised to the 6^(th) power in the SBM equations. Thus, ithas a very large influence on relaxivity, with shorter the distance,larger the influence. In this work, we found that allowing the parameterto vary slightly, rather than hold it fixed at the most commonlyreported value of 2.9 angstroms (Troughton et al., 2004, Inorg Chem 43:6313-6323). The fitting values we obtained were in any case very closeto the nominal value, but due to the extreme sensitivity of the SBMequations toward this value, it allowed for improved fits.

Multiple approaches have been developed wherein the above factors thataffect the relaxation mechanism have been altered to design newhigh-efficiency Mn²⁺-based or Gd³⁺-based T₁ MRI CA (Table 6). Theseapproaches have focused on altering one or more of the followingparameters: (1) increasing the number of inner-sphere water molecules(q); (2) decreasing the inner-sphere water residence lifetime (τ_(M)),and increasing the rotational correlation time (τ_(R)) of the contrastagent (CA); (3) decreasing the r_(MnH) by altering bond angles andorientation when designing chelates (Caravan et al., 2009, ContrastMedia Mol Imaging 4: 89-100). In the case of Mn²⁺ based macromolecularcontrast agents, at 20 MHz, r₁ values as high as 55 mM⁻¹ have beenreported compared to Mn²⁺ ions without any chelate or chelated withvarious small molecule polycarboxylic acid ligands which show r₁ valuesbetween 4-10 mM⁻¹s⁻¹. The two parameters that have been manipulated inthese studies are τ_(M) and/or τ_(R). The results of this work introducea novel general approach to enhance the r₁ relaxivity by confining theparamagnetic metal between graphene sheets, allowing the characteristicparameters q, τ_(R), and τ_(M) to be modified accordingly. The resultsindicate that confinement (intercalation) of paramagnetic metal ionswithin graphene sheets, and not the size, shape or architecture of thegraphitic carbon particles is the key determinant for increasingrelaxivity, and thus, identifies nano confinement of paramagnetic ionsas novel general strategy to develop metal-ion graphitic-carboncomplexes as high relaxivity MRI CA.

The physiochemical characterization, and the promising relaxivityresults of the graphitic, and graphene structures reported in the theseexamples open avenues for in vitro and in vivo studies to assess theirsafety and efficacy as MRI CAs. According to a recent report, in the US,approximately 43% of the 27.5 million clinical MRI procedures use CAsand the MRI CA market is projected to grow to $1.87 billion in 2012((2011) Imaging Agents. Global Industry Analysts, Inc:http://www.strategyr.com/Imaging_Agents_Market_Report.asp). Mostclinical MRI CAs are gadolinium-(Gd³⁺) ion-based T₁ paramagnetic CAs,that enhance MR signals to generate bright positive contrast. The recentdiscovery of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in some patients withsevere renal disease or following liver transplant has generated concernleading to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restrictions on clinicaluse of the Gd³⁺-ion based MRI CA (US FDA Information ongadolinium-containing contrast agents 2008,http://wwwfdagov/cder/drug/infopage/gcca/). Manganese, which wasreported early on as an example of paramagnetic contrast material forMRI, has again received attention as a possible alternative togadolinium (Pan et al., 2010, Revisiting an old friend: manganese basedMRI contrast agents. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine andNanobiotechnology). Unlike the lanthanides, it is a natural cellularconstituent resembling Ca²⁺, and often functions as a regulatorycofactor for enzymes and receptors. Normal daily dietary requirement formanganese is 0.1-0.4 milligrams, while normal serum levels are 1nano-molar. Manganese toxicity has only been reported followinglong-term exposure or at high concentrations resulting in neurologicalsymptoms (Pan et al., 2010, Revisiting an old friend: manganese basedMRI contrast agents. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine andNanobiotechnology). Thus, further development of the micro- andnano-particles reported in this work could lead to development of a newclass of Mn²⁺-carbon nanostructure complexes as high-efficacy MRI CAs.

TABLE 3a EPR parameters of solid samples of oxidize micro-graphite,oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphene nanoplatelets andgraphene nanoribbons. EPR Line width Electron relaxation (ΔH_(1/2),Gauss) for time (T_(2e), Sample g-value g~2.0 nanoseconds) Oxidized2.007 552.0 0.19 micrographite Oxidized graphene 2.007 544.4 0.20nanoplatelets Reduced graphene 2.008 505.2 0.21 nanoplatelets Graphene2.313 1472.0 88.2 nanoribbons

TABLE 3b EPR parameters of aqueous samples of oxidize micro-graphite,oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphene nanoplatelets andgraphene nanoribbons. EPR Line width Hyperfine Electron (ΔH_(1/2),Coupling relaxation Gauss) for Constant A_(Mn), time (T_(2e), Sampleg-value g~2.0 Gauss nanoseconds) Oxidized micro- 2.0067 29.2 94.5 2.25graphite Oxidized 2.0068 31.5 96.4 2.08 graphene nanoplatelets Reduced2.0070 30.0 95.4 2.19 graphene nanoplatelets Graphene 2.0068 30.2 95.22.17 nanoribbons

TABLE 4 Relaxivity of oxidized graphite, oxidized graphenenanoplatelets, reduced graphene nanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbonsdispersed in 1% Pluronic F127 solutions compared with clinically usedMRI contrast agents. Sample r₁ (mM⁻¹s⁻¹) r₂ (mM⁻¹s⁻¹) r₂/r₁ Oxidizedgraphite 63 (61-78) 171 (169-184) 2.7 Oxidized Graphene nanoplatelets 52(50-54) 114 (114-131) 2.2 Reduced graphene nanoplatelets 47 (34-49) 415(389-430) 8.9 Graphene nanoribbons 62 (53-71) 303 (275-310) 4.9 ClinicalMn²⁺Chelate Complexes^(†)) 1.8-2.0 2.0-2.2 — Clinical Gd³⁺Chelate3.4-5.8 3.6 ± 7.0 — Complexes^(††)) ^(†)Sigma-Aldrich I Certificate ofAnalysis-MWCNT ^(††)Rohrer et al., 2005, Investigative Radiology 40:715-724

TABLE 5 Computed parameters representing best fit to SBM equations.Oxidized Reduced Oxidized Graphene Graphene Graphene ParameterDefinition Graphite Nanoplatelets Nanoplatelets Nanoribbons Δ²Zero-field  1.0 × 10¹⁸ 6.12 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ splittingenergy (ZFS) τ_(V) (sec) Correlation 1.18 × 10⁻¹² 1.09 × 10⁻¹¹ 1.99 ×10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹² time for splitting τ_(R) (sec) Tumbling 1.95 × 10⁻⁹1.77 × 10⁻⁹ 3.85 × 10⁻⁹ 3.69 × 10⁻⁹ time of complex q Hydration 8 8 8 8number τ_(M) (sec) Residence 1.42 × 10⁻⁷ 7.29 × 10⁻⁷ 7.06 × 10⁻⁹ 5.06 ×10⁻⁹ time of inner sphere water molecules r_(MnH) (m) Manganese- 3.76 ×10⁻¹⁰ 3.73 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.94 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.26 × 10⁻¹⁰ Hydrogen Bond Radius

TABLE 6 Relaxivity (r₁) of Mn²⁺-based or Gd³⁺-based T₁ MRI contrastagents, and the dominant SBM parameter(s) that influence the relaxationmechanism. Type of Compound Mn²⁺-based Gd³⁺-based Magnetic MagneticHighest field Highest field r₁ (mM⁻¹s⁻¹) (MHz) r₁ (mM⁻¹s⁻¹) (MHz)Parameter(s) liposomal complex^(1,2) 35 20 11 25 τ_(M) Chelate complexesthat non- 55 20 130  20 τ_(R) covalent binding to Protein^(1,3, 4)Dendrimer complex^(4,5) 4.7 200 20 130 τ_(R) Viral capsid complexes⁶ NotNot 42 30 q, τ_(R) available available Small molecule complexes Not Not50 20 τ_(R) non-covalently available available functionalized to carbonnanotubes⁷ Small molecule complexes Not Not 59 60 τ_(R) covalentlyfunctionalized to available available nano-diamonds⁸Metallofullerenes⁹⁻¹¹ Not Not  8-100 20-50 q, τ_(R) available availableMetallonanotubes¹²⁻¹³ Not Not 400-635 0.01 q, τ_(M), τ_(R) availableavailable ¹Lauffer, 1987, Chem Rev 87: 901-927 ²Hak et al., 2009,European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 72: 397-404³Troughton et al., 2004, Inorg Chem 43: 6313-6323 ⁴Pan et al., 2010,Revisiting an old friend: manganese based MRI contrast agents. WileyInterdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology ⁵Bryant etal., 1999, Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 9: 348-352 ⁶Datta etal., 2009, Accounts Chem Res 42: 938-947 ⁷Richard et al., 2008, NanoLetters 8: 232-236 ⁸Manus et al., 2009, Nano Letters 10: 484-489 ⁹Tothet al., 2005, J Am Chem Soc 127: 799-805 ¹⁰Kato et al., 2003, J Am ChemSoc 125: 4391-4397 ¹¹Fatouros et al., 2006, Radiology 240: 756-764¹²Sitharaman et al., 2005, Chem Commun: 3915-3917 ¹³Ananta et al., 2010,Nature nanotechnology 5: 815-821

Structural, Chemical and Elemental Analysis

1. Structural Characterization and Raman Analysis

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM, JSM 5300, JEOL) was performed at 80kV on the oxidized micro-graphite samples to characterize their size andstructure. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)imaging analysis was performed on the graphene nanoplatelets andnanoribbons samples using a high resolution analytical transmissionelectron microscope (JEOL JEM2010F (FEG-TEM)). Imaging was carried outat 200 kV accelerating voltage. TEM samples were prepared by dispersingthe dry powders in 1:1 ethanol:water to form a homogeneous mixture. Thesuspension was then deposited on to a 300 mesh Cu grid covered with alacey carbon film. For the aberration (C_(s)) corrected TEMcharacterization, the experiments were performed in a Titan cubed 300-60kV operated at 80 kV equipped with a spherical aberration corrector forthe objective lens. Images were commonly recorded for 0.4 seconds. TheElectronic Energy Loss Spectra (EELS) detector in this case used tocollect the spectra was Tridiem. RAMAN spectral analysis of graphite,oxidized graphite, and all graphene samples was performed between 200 to3000 cm⁻¹ using a Thermo Scientific DXR Raman confocal microscope at 530nm diode laser excitation wavelength and room temperature.

FIG. 14 a displays the scanning electron microscopy image of theoxidized micro-graphite particles. The images indicate that oxidizedmicrographite particles exist as fractured structure, and have sizes(longest length of fractured structure) between 3-4 μm with an averagesize of 2.5 μm. FIGS. 14 b and 14 c display representative low and highmagnification TEM images of reduced graphene nanoplatelets,respectively, which provide their structural and morphologicalinformation. The structural properties of the graphene nanoparticles aresimilar to recent reports on the large scale production of graphenenanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons (Stankovich et al., 2006, Journalof Materials Chemistry 16: 155-158; Stankovich et al., 2007, Carbon 45:1558-1565; Stankovich et al., 2006, Carbon 44: 3342-3347; Li et al.,2008, Nature nanotechnology 3: 101-105; Kosynkin et al., 2009, Nature458: 872-876; Higginbotham et al., 2010, ACS nano 4: 2059-2069; Geng etal., 2009, Journal of colloid and interface science 336: 592-598). Asseen in FIG. 14 b, the reduced graphene nanoplatelets are circular inshape with an average width of ˜20 nm. Some platelets appear darker thanthe others, and this is due to the presence of multi-layered graphenesheets. The lighter ones, which are almost transparent, are single ordouble layered graphene sheets. FIG. 14 c reveals the atomic latticefringe structure of the individual graphene sheets; the lattice gridlines and hexagonal carbon atom rings are clearly visible (Lu et al.,2009, Nano Research 2: 192-200). AFM section analysis of the reducedgraphene nanoplatelets dispersion on a Si substrate revealed a uniformthickness of ˜1.137 nm (FIG. 14 g). Pristine graphene sheets have anatomic layer thickness (Van der Waals) of 0.34 nm. The presence ofcovalent bonds with carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, and displacement ofsp³ carbon atoms in the graphene nanoplatelet structure has beenreported to be the reason for the increase in the thickness (Stankovichet al., 2007, Carbon 45: 1558-1565). Oxidized graphene oxidenanoparticles show similar sizes and architecture (FIG. 14 f).

FIGS. 14 d and e display representative low and high magnification TEMimages of graphene nanoribbons, respectively. As seen in FIG. 14 d, thegraphene nanoribbons have fully unzipped layers of graphene sheets. Thehigh resolution TEM image in FIG. 14 e clearly shows that thenanoribbons are multilayered (arrows) due to successive unzipping of theconcentric walls of MWCNTs. The graphene oxide nanoribbons structureappears mostly uniform and smooth, with few defects. The startingmaterial, MWCNTs, have an outer diameter of 40-70 nm, and length of500-2000 nm. Since the MWCNTs are cylinders, upon unzipping, they shouldopen up completely to have breadths of ˜125-220 nm (π×diameter) andlengths of 500-2000 nm. The analysis of the TEM images indicates thatthe width of the graphene nanoribbons is ˜120 nm which is greater thanthe outer diameter of the outermost tubes of MWCNTs of 70 nm verifyingthe process of unzipping. However, this width is slightly lower than therange required for fully flat ribbons (125-220 nm) suggesting that, thegraphene nanoribbons upon unzipping may not be fully flat sheets, butretain some curvature of the MWCNTs. The TEM images also show that thegraphene nanoribbons have lengths of ˜600-2000 nm similar to the MWCNTs.

FIG. 15 a shows the Raman spectra of oxidized micro-graphite, oxidizedgraphene nanoplatelets and reduced graphene nanoplatelets. Also includedas control, is the Raman spectra of pristine micro-graphite. Thespectrum of pristine micro-graphite shows a prominent sharp peak at 1581cm⁻¹ indicating the G-band which is attributed to the doubly degeneratezone center E_(2g) mode (Tuinstra et al., 1970, Raman spectrum ofgraphite. The Journal of Chemical Physics 53: 1126). In case of oxidizedgraphite, there is a broadening of the G band, and a peak shift to 1595cm⁻¹. Further, zone boundary phonons give rise to the D band at 1345cm⁻¹, which becomes prominent indicating increase in the disorder sp²domains, and reduction of the crystal size due to oxidation. Due tooxidation of graphite, there is an increase in the ratio of intensity ofthe D to G peaks (I_(D)/I_(G)), from 0.407 for graphite to 1.2 foroxidized graphite (Tuinstra et al., 1970, Raman spectrum of graphite.The Journal of Chemical Physics 53: 1126). The spectra of oxidizedgraphene nanoplatelets, and reduced graphene nanoplatelets show afurther increase in I_(D)/I_(G) to 1.3 and 1.44, respectively. In caseof reduced graphene nanoplatelets, the peaks of D and G bands areshifted closer to the values of graphite (1330 cm⁻¹ and 1590 cm⁻¹respectively), suggesting the removal of the oxygen during reduction,and some restoration of sp² carbon atoms. However, I_(D)/I_(G) ratio ishigher compared to oxidized graphene nanoplatelets possibly due to thereduction of the average size of sp² domains in addition to an increasein the number of such small sized disorder domains (Stankovich et al.,2007, Carbon 45: 1558-1565).

FIG. 15 b shows the Raman spectrum of graphene nanoribbons and MWCNTs.The spectrum for graphene nanoribbons has a broad G band, which isred-shifted at 1600 cm⁻¹ compared to MWCNT and has a prominent D band at1310 cm⁻¹. There is an increase in I_(D)/I_(G) value from 0.045 forMWCNTs to 1.57 for the graphene nanoribbons, similar to previous reports(Kosynkin et al., 2009, Nature 458: 872-876). The red-shift in the Gband for the graphene nanoribbons is due to the oxidative unzipping ofMWCNTs, and is similar to the shift in spectra for oxidized graphenenanoplatelets, due to oxidation of graphite (FIG. 15 a).

The Raman spectra of reduced graphene nanoplatelets also show additionalpeaks at around 657 cm⁻¹, 370 cm⁻¹ and 320 cm⁻¹ (FIG. 15 c). In order toidentify the peaks, a Raman spectral database search (using the RRUFF™project collection, http://rruff.info/R040090) attributed the peaks toHausmannite (Mn₃O₄); a complex oxide containing di-valent and tri-valentmanganese. Hausmannite is the most stable oxide of manganese, and isformed when any other oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, nitrates orsulphates of manganese are calcinated (Southard et al., 1942, Journal ofthe American Chemical Society 64: 1769-1770; Ursu et al., 1986, Journalof Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics 19: L825; and Bie et al.,2010, Solid State Sciences 12: 1364-1367). In our case, the hightemperature (˜100° C.) heating during the synthesis of the reducedgraphene nanoplatelets may have led to hausmannite formation. Thedetection of hausmannite peaks was sensitive to the orientation of thesample, and sample spot size indicating of its presence in very smallamounts. The EPR spectra (see FIGS. 11 and 12) of the sample also didnot detect any Mn (III) ion, further corroborating that hausmannite maybe present in relatively small amounts compared to oxides of divalentmanganese.

Unlike reduced graphene nanoplatelets, no hausmannite peaks weredetected in Raman spectra of the oxidized micro-graphite, oxidizedgraphene nanoplatelets or nanoribbons samples. Electron energy lossspectroscopy (EELS) of oxidized and reduced graphene nanoplateletsdetected manganese and oxygen (FIG. 16). However, EELS spectroscopy ofgraphene nanoribbons (at the center or the edges) did not show anymanganese. Additionally, trace elemental analysis (Table 7a-b) of allthe samples (oxidized micrographite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets,reduced graphene nanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons) detected thepresence of manganese. Thus, the Raman spectroscopy results takentogether with EELS and elemental analysis measurements indicate that, incase of oxidized micro-graphite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets,reduced graphene nanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons, divalentmanganese in the form of manganese sulfate or manganese oxide maybeintercalated between graphene layers, since the reaction of potassiumpermanganate with sulfuric acid leads to formation of divalentmanganese. Additionally, trace amounts of hausmannite may beintercalated between the graphene layers for reduced graphenenanoplatelets (Sorokina et al., 2005, Russian Journal of GeneralChemistry 75: 162-168).

2. Elemental Analysis

The solid and liquid graphene nanoplatelets and nanoribbon samples wereanalyzed by Inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy(ICP-OES) at two micro-analytical analytical testing laboratories(Columbia Analytical Services, Tucson, Ariz. and Galbraith Laboratories,Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.) to confirm, and determine the concentration ofmanganese and potassium. Additionally, iron content analysis was carriedout for the graphene nanoribbon samples, since iron is used as acatalyst in the preparation of MWCNTs (the starting material). For theICP analysis, solid and liquid graphene nanoplatelets and nanoribbonsamples (known weight or concentration) were treated with concentratedHNO₃, and carefully heated to obtain a solid residue. They were nexttreated with 30% H₂O₂, and heated again to remove any carbonaceousmaterial. The remaining solid residue was dissolved in 2% HNO₃, andanalyzed by ICP.

Table 7a and 7b presents the trace elemental analysis of solid andaqueous samples, respectively, of the oxidized micro-graphite, oxidizedgraphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphene nanoplatelets and graphenenanoribbons. For the solid samples (Table 7a), since potassiumpermanganate was used in the preparation of these nanoparticles, theconcentration of potassium and manganese in these samples were analyzed.Additionally, iron elemental analysis was also performed on the graphenenanoribbons, since iron catalysts were present in the MWCNTs; thestarting material used in the graphene nanoribbon preparation. All thesolid samples showed potassium between 0.22-0.52 wt %. Graphenenanoribbons showed at least 4 times lower amounts of manganese (0.93 wt%) compared to the other solid samples which showed manganese between3.84-5.11 wt %. For the aqueous samples (Table 7b), concentrations ofmanganese were analyzed for all samples, since they are needed for thecalculation of the relaxivity of these samples. For the graphenenanoribbons solutions, iron elemental analysis was also performed as itcould also contribute to the calculated relaxivity values. Theconcentrations of manganese in the all aqueous samples were variablebetween 0.27-1.48 ppm. This broad range of values in concentration isdue to the variable propensity of the different samples (see methodsection on proton relaxivity measurement) to form stable suspensions in1% Pluronic F 127 solution. No iron was detected in the aqueoussolutions of graphene nanoribbons. This non-detection of iron may be dueto the following reason. The concentration of the graphene nanoribbonsused for the relaxivity is 10 m/ml. A 300 μl volume solution was usedfor the relaxivity experiments, and the trace elemental analysis. Thus,the total amount of graphene nanoribbons is 3 μg. If one considers Feconcentration to be 0.005% of 3 m, the amount of Fe would be 0.15 ng,which is well below the detection limit of ICP system (detection limit˜1 ng).

3. Solomon-Bloembergan-Morgan Theory of Relaxivity

Following are the set of SBM equations (Toth et al., 2001, The Chemistryof Contrast Agents in In: Merbach A, Toth E, editors. The Chemistry ofContrast Agents in Medical Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Wiley).

$\begin{matrix}{R_{1} = {\frac{P_{M}}{\lbrack{Mn}\rbrack}\frac{q}{T_{1m} + \tau_{m}}}} & (1) \\{R_{2} = {\frac{P_{M}}{\lbrack{Mn}\rbrack}\frac{q}{T_{2m} + \tau_{m}}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

where P_(m), the mole fraction of Mn, is defined in Equation 13.

T_(1m) and T_(2m), the net proton relaxation times, are given by:

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{1}{T_{1m}} = {{C_{DD}\left( {\frac{3\tau_{c\; 1}}{1 + \left( {\omega_{I}\tau_{c1}} \right)^{2}} + \frac{7\tau_{c\; 2}}{1 + \left( {\omega_{S}\tau_{c\; 2}} \right)}} \right)} + {\frac{2}{3}{S\left( {S + 1} \right)}\left( \frac{A}{\hslash} \right)^{2}\left( \frac{\tau_{e}}{1 + {\omega_{s}^{2}\tau_{e}^{2}}} \right)}}} & (3) \\{\mspace{79mu} {\frac{1}{T_{2m}} = {\frac{1}{2}{C_{DD}\left( {{4\tau_{c\; 1}} + \frac{3\tau_{c\; 1}}{1 + \left( {\omega_{I}\tau_{c\; 1}} \right)^{2}} + \frac{13\tau_{c\; 2}}{1 + \left( {\omega_{S}\tau_{c\; 2}} \right)^{2}}} \right)}}}} & (4)\end{matrix}$

C_(dd) contains the physical constants which govern dipole-dipoleinteractions: τ_(c1)

$\begin{matrix}{C_{DD} = {\frac{2}{15}\frac{\gamma_{I}^{2}g^{2}\mu_{B}^{2}}{r_{{Gd} - H}^{6}}\left( \frac{\mu_{0}}{4\pi} \right)^{2}{S\left( {S + 1} \right)}}} & (5)\end{matrix}$

The relaxation effectiveness of the paramagnetic centers are:

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{1}{T_{1e}} = {{\frac{1}{50}\left\lbrack {{4{S\left( {S + 1} \right)}} - 3} \right\rbrack}\Delta^{2}{\tau_{v}\left\lbrack {\frac{1}{1 + {\tau_{v}^{2}\omega_{S}^{2}}} + \frac{4}{1 + {4\tau_{v}^{2}\omega_{S}^{2}}}} \right\rbrack}}} & (6) \\{\frac{1}{T_{2e}} = {{\frac{1}{25}\left\lbrack {{4{S\left( {S + 1} \right)}} - 3} \right\rbrack}\Delta^{2}{\tau_{v}\left\lbrack {3 + \frac{5}{1 + {\tau_{v}^{2}\omega_{S}^{2}}} + \frac{2}{1 + {4\tau_{v}^{2}\omega_{S}^{2}}}} \right\rbrack}}} & (7)\end{matrix}$

As before, the transfer efficiency from the paramagnetic center to the Hprotons via dipole-dipole interactions is mediated by the correlationtimes τ_(c1) and τ_(c2) which are given by:

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{1}{\tau_{c\; 1}} = {\frac{1}{T_{1e}} + \frac{1}{\tau_{R}} + \frac{1}{\tau_{m}}}} & (8) \\{\frac{1}{\tau_{c\; 2}} = {\frac{1}{T_{2e}} + \frac{1}{\tau_{R}} + \frac{1}{\tau_{m}}}} & (9)\end{matrix}$

For scalar interactions the relevant correlation time is τ_(e) which isgiven by:

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{1}{\tau_{e}} = {\frac{1}{T_{2e}} + \frac{1}{\tau_{m}}}} & (10)\end{matrix}$

Finally, we have

ω_(I)=2πv _(I)  (11)

and

ω_(S)=658ω_(I)=658(2πv _(I))  (12)

where ω_(I) and ω_(S) are the Larmor frequencies of the paramagneticmetal's electron spin, and the water proton's nuclear spin,respectively.

P_(M) is the mole fraction of the Manganese (Mn⁺²) with respect to thetotal number of moles of Mn⁺² and water (H₂O). The concentration of Mn⁺²used here was 1 mM.

$\begin{matrix}\begin{matrix}{P_{M} = \frac{m_{Mn}}{m_{Mn} + m_{H_{2}O}}} \\{\approx \frac{m_{Mn}}{m_{H_{2}O}}} \\{= \frac{10^{- 3}}{55.56}} \\{= {1.8 \times 10^{- 5}}}\end{matrix} & (13)\end{matrix}$

The remaining physical constants in the above equations are given belowin Table 8.

The mechanism by which paramagnetic complexes improve relaxivity is viacoupling of the electron spin of the paramagnetic ion to the protonspin. This coupling occurs by two primary methods: scalar (throughbonds) and dipole-dipole (DD) (through space) interactions. DDinteractions are generally stronger, but depend on the orientation ofthe spin system of the paramagnetic ion with respect to the orientationof the H atoms in the water molecule. Since the molecules arecontinually tumbling with respect to each other, the rotationalcoherence time τ_(R) which is roughly a measure of the time themolecules rotate by a radian with respect to each other, is an importantfactor for DD interactions. The longer the τ_(R), the more effective isthe influence of the paramagnetic center. However, for scalar coupling,the physical orientation is irrelevant, as the influence is exertedthrough the bonds of the compound. For this reason, τ_(R) is present inEquations 8 and 9, above, which govern DD interactions for T₁ and T₂,respectively, but is absent in Equation 10, which governs scalarinteractions. The total strength of interaction is the sum of the DD andscalar contributions, and is reflected in Equation 3, where the firstterm represents the DD contribution, and the second term, the scalarcontribution.

A key factor in modeling the contribution of the inner sphere is toidentify the number of water molecules that can bind to the paramagneticcenter at any given time. Equation 1 tells us that the relaxivity isdirectly proportional to this hydration number, q. Another point whichis apparent from Equation 1 is that aside from the concentration of thecontrast agent, the relaxivities r₁ and r₂ are determined by the totalrelaxation times of the bound inner sphere water molecules T_(1m) andT_(2m) respectively, and by the residence lifetime τ_(m), the length oftime the water molecule stays bound to the paramagnetic center beforedetachment and replacement by another water molecule. In turn, thefactors T_(1m) and T_(2m) are dependent on the factors T_(1e) andT_(2e), which are the electron relaxation times of the paramagneticcenter. These are defined in Equations 6 and 7 respectively, for thelongitudinal and transverse cases, and depend among other things uponthe applied field. The effectiveness of the transfer of relaxivity fromthe electrons of the paramagnetic center to the protons is governed byEquations 8 and 9 for the DD case, and Equation 10 for the scalar case.Aside from the strength of the paramagnetic agent, Equations 8 and 9tell us that the effectiveness of transfer of the RF fields generated bythe electrons of the contrast agent to the protons is also a criticalfactor in the overall relaxivity. This transfer is mediated by thetumbling time τ_(R) and the residence lifetime τ_(m). The longer theseare, the more effective the transfer.

The SBM equations were fit to the experimental data using the leastsquares algorithm (FindFit in Mathematica®). Constraints were used tolimit the possible solutions, as curve-fitting algorithms are notoriousfor producing physically unrealizable or meaningless solutions. The datawere also fit to the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm which produced betterfits, but the returned parameters were often nonsensical, such asnegative values, and/or differing by many orders of magnitude fromaccepted values. Because the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm cannot beused with preset constraints, the minimize option in the FindFitfunction was used that allow the use of constraints, and returnedresults rapidly. It should also be noted that while fitting the NMRDdata, the parameters returned by the algorithm may represent only alocal minimum, and not the global minimum. It is possible that bettersolutions may exist. However, these are very difficult to locate andverify. In addition, slight adjustments to one parameter can causewidely fluctuating changes in the other parameters.

A number of curve fitting experiments were performed to best analyze theNMRD data for each of the four materials reported here. There is atradeoff between the number of variables that are allowed to float, andare computed by the curve-fitting algorithm, and the numbers that areassumed fixed, and which have been determined by other means.Independent corroboration of some variables generally produces moreaccurate values for those parameters, but may adversely affect thetightness of fit. Conversely, allowing the algorithm to find allparameters often leads to an excellent fit, but occasionally tophysically meaningless results, including negative values of time. Tolimit these occurrences, we generally constrained the desired parametersto lie within physically reasonable ranges during the running of thealgorithm.

To corroborate some of the SBM parameters, we independently determinedvalues for q and τ_(M) by EPR and ¹⁷O-transverse relaxation ratemeasurements. The value of q that was obtained was 8 for all samples,and the values of τ_(M) were oxidized graphite=200 ns, oxidized graphenenanoplatelets=500 ns, reduced graphene nanoplatelets=350 ns and graphenenanoribbons=400 ns.

The best fit was obtained for q=8 which is corroborated by the EPRmeasurements. However, we have considered the possibility where Mn(II)ions are co-ordinated to graphene sheet or oxygen atoms and alsoobtained fits for q=2, 4 and 6 as well as floated the values of q.

The following fitting strategies were employed.

1. Float all SBM parameters (FIG. 18).

2. Fix Q at 2, Float remaining SBM parameters (FIG. 19).

3. Fix Q at 4, Float remaining SBM parameters (FIG. 20).

4. Fix Q at 6, Float remaining SBM parameters (FIG. 21).

5. Fix Q at 8, Float remaining SBM parameters (FIG. 22).

6. Fix Q at 8, Fix Tm, Float remaining SBM parameters (FIG. 23).

4. ¹⁷O-Transverse Relaxation Rate Measurements

A Bruker Advance 500 spectrometer was used for the ¹⁷O measurements.Experimental settings were: no sample spinning, spectral width 10 kHz,90° pulse, acquisition time 25 ms, and 256 scans. CD₃CN contained in acapillary coaxially inserted in the 5 mm tube containing theexperimental sample was as used to carry out the field-frequency lock.The experimental solutions were enriched in ¹⁷O isotope (to 3%) byadding ¹⁷O enriched water (10% H₂ ¹⁷O) to improve the detectionsensitivity. The linewidth at half height of the water ¹⁷O signal wasmeasured, and this value was used to calculate ¹⁷O-transverse relaxationrate measuring (R₂=π×linewidth at half height). The water exchangecorrelation time (τ_(M)) was estimated from the analysis of thetemperature dependence (between 15-80° C.) of the transverse relaxationrate for the four samples dispersed in ¹⁷O-water using the Swift andConnick theory (Swift et al., 1962, J Chem Phys 37: 307). At 27° C., theτ_(M) values for the four samples were as follows. Oxidized graphite=200ns, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets=500 ns, reduced graphenenanoplatelets=350 ns and graphene nanoribbons=400 ns.

TABLE 7a Trace elemental analysis of solid samples of the oxidizemicro-graphite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphenenanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons. The standard deviation among thevarious batches was 10%. Potassium Manganese Sample (wt %) (wt %) Iron(wt %) Solid oxidized graphite 0.52 3.84 — Solid oxidized graphene 0.454.54 — nanoplatelets Solid reduced graphene 0.22 5.11 — nanoplateletsSolid graphene nanoribbons 0.29 0.93 0.005

TABLE 7b Trace elemental analysis of aqueous samples of the oxidizedmicrographite, oxidized graphene nanoplatelets, reduced graphenenanoplatelets and graphene nanoribbons. The values presented are for onebatch of samples. Sample Manganese (ppm) Aqueous oxidized graphite 0.82Aqueous oxidized graphene 1.48 nanoplatelets Aqueous reduced graphene0.60 nanoplatelets Aqueous graphene 0.27 nanoribbons

TABLE 8 List of parameter values in SBM equations that are fixedconstants, or independently established physical quantities ParameterDefinition Value γ_(I) Gyromagnetic constant for protons 2.675 × 10⁸T⁻¹s⁻¹ g Electronic g factor 2 μ_(B) Bohr magneton 9.274 × 10⁻²⁴ JT⁻¹$\frac{\mu_{0}}{4\pi}$ Free-space permeability constant 10⁻⁷ NA⁻² A/Hyperfine coupling constant 1 MHz  Reduced Planck's constant 1.054 ×10⁻³⁴ v_(I) Proton Larmor Frequency γ_(I)B/(2π) v_(S) Electron LarmorFrequency   658 × v_(I) S Spin number 5/2

TABLE 9 SBM Parameters obtained from the curve fit with all parametervalues floating. Reduced Oxidized Graphene Graphene Graphene ParameterDefinition Graphite Nanoplatelets Nanoplatelets Nanoribbons Δ²Zero-field 1.29 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ splittingenergy (ZFS) r_(MnH) Manganese- 4.03 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.16 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.07 × 10⁻¹⁰2.03 × 10⁻¹⁰ Hydrogen Bond Radius q Hydration 11.03 4.58 1.71 1.21number τ_(R) Tumbling 2.16 × 10⁻⁹ 1.35 × 10⁻⁹ 4.42 × 10⁻⁹ 6.07 × 10⁻⁹time of complex τ_(V) Correlation  1.0 × 10⁻¹² 2.79 × 10⁻¹² 3.18 × 10⁻¹²1.00 × 10⁻¹² time for splitting τ_(M) Residence 1.82 × 10⁻⁷ 7.53 × 10⁻⁷8.36 × 10⁻⁹ 8.09 × 10⁻¹⁰ time of inner sphere water molecules

TABLE 10 SBM Parameters obtained from the curve fit for fixed Q = 2 andremaining SBM parameters allowed to float. Reduced Oxidized GrapheneGraphene Graphene Parameter Definition Graphite NanoplateletsNanoplatelets Nanoribbons Δ² Zero-field  1.0 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸  1.0 ×10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ splitting energy (ZFS) r_(MnH) Manganese- 3.02 × 10⁻¹⁰2.80 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.09 × 10⁻¹⁰ 2.26 × 10⁻¹⁰ Hydrogen Bond Radius q Hydration2 2 2 2 number τ_(R) Tumbling 2.24 × 10⁻⁹ 1.49 × 10⁻⁹ 3.48 × 10⁻⁹ 2.47 ×10⁻⁹ time of complex τ_(V) Correlation 2.95 × 10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹² 1.67 ×10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹² time for splitting τ_(M) Residence 3.40 × 10⁻⁸ 3.34 ×10⁻⁷ 7.93 × 10⁻⁹ 1.28 × 10⁻⁹ time of inner sphere water molecules

TABLE 11 SBM Parameters obtained from the curve fit for fixed Q = 4 andremaining SBM parameters allowed to float. Reduced Oxidized GrapheneGraphene Graphene Parameter Definition Graphite NanoplateletsNanoplatelets Nanoribbons Δ² Zero-field 1.0 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ 1.01 ×10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ splitting energy (ZFS) r_(MnH) Manganese- 3.37 × 10⁻¹⁰3.13 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.51 × 10⁻¹⁰ 2.47 × 10⁻¹⁰ Hydrogen Bond Radius q Hydration4 4 4 4 number τ_(R) Tumbling 2.21 × 10⁻⁹ 1.48 × 10⁻⁹ 3.57 × 10⁻⁹ 4.83 ×10⁻⁹ time of complex τ_(V) Correlation  1.0 × 10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹² 1.99 ×10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹² time for splitting τ_(M) Residence 8.69 × 10⁻⁸ 6.76 ×10⁻⁷ 8.54 × 10⁻⁹ 8.23 × 10⁻¹⁰ time of inner sphere water molecules

TABLE 12 SBM Parameters obtained from the curve fit for fixed Q = 6 andremaining SBM parameters allowed to float. Reduced Oxidized GrapheneGraphene Graphene Parameter Definition Graphite NanoplateletsNanoplatelets Nanoribbons Δ² Zero-field 3.55 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ 1.03 ×10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ splitting energy (ZFS) r_(MnH) Manganese- 3.61 × 10⁻¹⁰3.36 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.73 × 10⁻¹⁰ 2.92 × 10⁻¹⁰ Hydrogen Bond Radius q Hydration6 6 6 6 number τ_(R) Tumbling 2.03 × 10⁻⁹ 1.46 × 10⁻⁹ 2.82 × 10⁻⁹ 5.16 ×10⁻⁹ time of complex τ_(V) Correlation  1.0 × 10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹²  1.0 ×10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹² time for splitting τ_(M) Residence 7.81 × 10⁻⁸  1.0 ×10⁻⁶ 1.76 × 10⁻⁸ 1.88 × 10⁻⁹ time of inner sphere water molecules

TABLE 13 SBM Parameters obtained from the curve fit for fixed Q = 8 andremaining SBM parameters allowed to float. Reduced Oxidized GrapheneGraphene Graphene Parameter Definition Graphite NanoplateletsNanoplatelets Nanoribbons Δ² Zero-field  1.0 × 10¹⁸ 6.12 × 10¹⁸ 1.0 ×10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ splitting energy (ZFS) r_(MnH) Manganese- 3.76 × 10⁻¹⁰3.73 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.94 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.26 × 10⁻¹⁰ Hydrogen Bond Radius q Hydration8 8 8 8 number τ_(R) Tumbling 1.95 × 10⁻⁹ 1.77 × 10⁻⁹ 3.85 × 10⁻⁹ 3.69 ×10⁻⁹ time of complex τ_(V) Correlation 1.18 × 10⁻¹² 1.09 × 10⁻¹¹ 1.99 ×10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹² time for splitting τ_(M) Residence 1.42 × 10⁻⁷ 7.29 ×10⁻⁷ 7.06 × 10⁻⁹ 5.06 × 10⁻⁹ time of inner sphere water molecules

TABLE 14 SBM Parameters used to obtain curve fit for fixed Q = 8 andfixed Tm values. Reduced Oxidized Graphene Graphene Graphene ParameterDefinition Graphite Nanoplatelets Nanoplatelets Nanoribbons Δ²Zero-field  1.0 × 10¹⁸ 1.80 × 10¹⁹  1.0 × 10¹⁸  1.0 × 10¹⁸ splittingenergy (ZFS) r_(MnH) Manganese- 3.79 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.87 × 10⁻¹⁰ 3.90 × 10⁻¹⁰2.79 × 10⁻¹⁰ Hydrogen Bond Radius q Hydration 8 8 8 8 number τ_(R)Tumbling 2.07 × 10⁻⁹ 2.21 × 10⁻⁹ 2.79 × 10⁻⁹  1.0 × 10⁻⁸ time of complexτ_(V) Correlation  1.0 × 10⁻¹² 6.93 × 10⁻¹² 1.00 × 10⁻¹²  1.0 × 10⁻¹²time for splitting τ_(M) Residence 1.42 × 10⁻⁷ 1.29 × 10⁻⁷ 1.06 × 10⁻⁷5.06 × 10⁻⁷ time of inner sphere water molecules

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in theirentireties and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individualpublication or patent or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications andvariations of the present invention can be made without departing fromits spirit and scope. The specific embodiments described herein areoffered by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited onlyby the terms of the appended claims along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. A magnetic composition comprising a magnetic metal and agraphene-like nanostructure or a graphitic nano- or microstructure. 2.The magnetic composition of claim 1, wherein said graphitic nano- ormicrostructure has a thickness of 5 μm or less.
 3. The magneticcomposition of claim 1, having a relaxivity r1 of about 10 mM⁻¹s⁻¹ ormore. 4-5. (canceled)
 6. The magnetic composition of claim 2, whereinsaid graphitic nano- or microstructure has a thickness of 1 to 5 μm. 7.The magnetic composition of claim 1, wherein said graphene-likenanostructure has a thickness of about 20 nm or less.
 8. The magneticcomposition of claim 7, wherein said graphene-like nanostructurecomprises 1 to 12 atomic layers of carbon. 9-10. (canceled)
 11. Themagnetic composition of claim 7, wherein said graphene-likenanostructure is selected from the group consisting of carbonnanoplatelet and carbon nanoribbon.
 12. The magnetic composition ofclaim 11, wherein said graphene-like carbon nanostructure is a carbonnanoplatelet having an average diameter in the range of 5 to 100 nm.13-14. (canceled)
 15. The magnetic composition of claim 7, wherein saidgraphene-like nanostructure is a carbon nanoribbon having an averagewidth in the range of 1 to 250 nm and an average length in the range of200 to 5000 nm.
 16. (canceled)
 17. The magnetic composition of claim 7,wherein said carbon nanoplatelet is an oxidized nanoplatelet.
 18. Themagnetic composition of claim 1, wherein said magnetic metal is selectedfrom the group consisting of Mn, Gd, and Fe.
 19. The magneticcomposition of claim 18, wherein said magnetic metal is Mn.
 20. Themagnetic composition of claim 19, wherein said Mn is present in a Mnoxide. 21-22. (canceled)
 23. The magnetic composition of claim 19,comprising Mn in an amount in the range of 1 ppb to 10⁷ ppm.
 24. Themagnetic composition of claim 23, wherein said graphene-likenanostructure is a carbon nanoplatelet, and wherein said magneticcomposition comprises Mn in an amount in the range of 10⁶ to 10⁷ ppm.25. (canceled)
 26. The magnetic composition of claim 23, wherein saidgraphene-like nanostructure is a carbon nanoribbon, and wherein saidmagnetic composition comprises Mn in an amount in the range of 10² to10³ ppm.
 27. (canceled)
 28. The magnetic composition of claim 18,wherein said magnetic metal is Gd.
 29. The magnetic composition of claim18, wherein said magnetic metal is Fe.
 30. The magnetic composition ofclaim 1, comprising both Mn and Fe.
 31. The magnetic composition ofclaim 30, wherein said graphene-like nanostructure is a carbonnanoribbon. 32-46. (canceled)